Historical record of the Fifth Regiment of Foot, or Northumberland Fusiliers [microform] : containing an account of the formation of the regiment in the year 1674, and of its subsequent services to 1837

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HISTORICAL RECORDS

-OF THE

BRITISH ARMY.

PREPARED FOR PUBLICATION UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,

THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT;

oR,

NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

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LONDON ;
Printed by Winntam Crowes and Sons
14, Charing Cross.

GENERAL ORDERS,

HORSE- GUARDS,
lst Junuary, 1836.

His Majesty has been pleased to command,
that, with a view of doing the fullest justice to Regi-
ments, as well as to Individuals who have distin-
guished themselves by their Bravery in Action with
the Enemy, an Account of the Services of every Regi-
ment in the British Army shall be published under
the superintendence and direction of the Adjutant-
General; and that this Account shall contain the
following particulars, viz.,

The Period and Circumstances of the Ori-
ginal Formation of the Regiment; The Stations at
which it has been from time to time employed; The
Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operaticis, in
which it has been engaged, particularly speciiing
any Achievement it may have performed, and the
Colours, Trophies, &c., it may have captured from
the Enemy. °

The Names of the Officers and the number of
Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates, Killed or
Wounded by the Enemy, specifying the Place and
Date of the Action.

a 2

GENERAL ORDERS,

The Names of those Officers, who, in con-
sideration of their Gallant Services and Meritorious
Conduct in Engagements with the Enemy, have been
distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other Marks of
His Majesty’s gracious favour.

The Names of all such Officers, Non-Com-
missioned Officers and Privates as may have specially
signalized themselves in Action.

And,

—— The Badges and Devices which the Regiment
may have been permitted to bear, and the Causes
on account of which such Badges or Devices, or any
other Marks of Distinction, have been granted.

By Command of the Right Honourable
GENERAL LORD HILL,
Commanding-in-Chief.

Joun MacponaLp,
Adjutant-General.

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orious
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PREFACE.

Tue character and credit of the British Army must chiefly
depend upon the zeal and ardour, by which all who enter
into its service are animated, and consequently it is of the
highest importance that any measure calculated to excite the
spirit of emulation, by which alone great and gallant actions
are achieved, should be adopted.

Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this
desirable object, than a full display of the noble deeds with
which the Military History of our country abounds. To hold
forth these bright examples to the imitation of the youthful
soldier, and thus to incite him to emulate the meritorious
conduct of those who have preceded him in their honourable
career, are among the motives that have given rise to the
present publication.

The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced
in the ‘ London Gazette,’ from whence they are transferred
into the public prints: the achievements of our armies are thus
made known at the time of their occurrence, and receive the
tribute of praise and admiration to which they are entitled.
On extraordinary occasions, the Houses of Parliament have

been in the habit of conferring on the Commanders, and the

PREFACE,

Officers and Troops acting under their orders, expressions of
approbation and of thanks for their skill and bravery, and these
testimonials, confirmed by the high honour of their Sovereign's
Approbation, constitute the reward which the soldier most
highly prizes,

It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which
appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental
armies) for British Regiments to keep regular records of their
services and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been
experienced in obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments,
an authentic account of their origin and subsequent services.

This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His
Majesty having been pleased to command, that every Regiment
shall in future keep a full and ample record of its services at
home and abroad.

From the materials thus collected, the country will hence-
forth derive information as to the difficulties and privations
which chequer the career of those who embrace the military
profession. In Great Britain, where so large a number of
persons are devoted to the active concerns of agriculture,
manufactures, and commerce, and where these pursuits have,
for so long a period, been undisturbed by the presence of war,
which few other countries have escaped, comparatively little

is known of the vicissitudes of active service, and of the

casualties of climate, to which, even during peace, the British

Troops are exposed in every part of the globe, with little or
no interval of repose.
In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the

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PREFACE.

country derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agri- ,
culturist and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed
not often to reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and
the sailor,—on their sufferings,—and on the sacrifice of valu-
able life, by which so many national benefits are obtained
and preserved. |

The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endur-
ance, have shone conspicuously under great and trying diffi-
culties; and their character has been established in Continental
warfare by the irresistible spirit with which they have effected
debarkations in spite of the most formidable opposition, and
by the gallantry and steadiness with which they have main-
tained their advantages against superior numbers.

In the official Reports made by the respective’Commanders,
ample justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions
of the Corps employed ; but the details of their services, and
of acts of individual bravery, can only be fully given in the
Annals of the various Regiments.

These Records are now preparing for publication, under
His Majesty’s special authority, by Mr. Ricnarp Cannon,
Principal Clerk of the Adjutant-General’s Office ; and while
the perusal of them cannot fail to he useful and interesting to
military men of every rank, it is considered that they will also
afford entertainment and information to the general reader,
particularly to those who may have served in the Army, or
who have relatives in the Service.

There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served,

or are serving, in the Army, an Esprit du Corps—an attach-

PREFACE.

ment to every thing belonging to their Regiment; to such
persons a narrative of the services of their own Corps cannot
fail to prove interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions
of the great, —the valiant,—the loyal, have always been of

paramount interest with a brave and civilized people. Great

.Britain has produced a race of heroes who, in moments of

danger and terror, have stood, “ firm as the rocks of their

9

native shore;’’ and when half the World has been arrayed
against them, they have fought the battles of their Country
with unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of
achievements in war,—victories so complete and surprising,
gained by our countrymen,—our brothers—our fellow-citizens
in arms,—a record which revives the memory of the brave,
and brings their gallant deeds before us, will certainly prove
acceptable to the public.

Biographical memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished
Officers, will be introduced in the Records of their respective
Regiments, and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from
time to time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying
the value and importance of its services, will be faithfully
set forth.

As a convenient mode ‘of Publication, the Record of each
Regiment will be printed in a distinct number, so that when
the whole shall be completed, the Parts may be bound up in

numerical succession.

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HISTOKICAL RECORD

FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS;

CONTAINING

AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
IN THE YEAR 1674,
AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
TO 1837.

PREPARED FOR PUBLICATION UNDER THE DIRECTION
OF THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL,

(To Jace page 1.

LONDON:
PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, 14, CHARING-CROSS.

MDCCCXXXVIII.

THE

FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

OR
NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS,

BEARS ON ITS COLOURS

“ST. GEORGE anv tuE DRAGON,”

WITH THE MOTTO,

“QUO FATA VOCANT,”

AND THE FOLLOWING DISTINCTIONS ¢

“ Wilhelmsthal” —“ Roleia” — “ Vimiera’?— “ Corunna”
— “ Busaco” —“ Ciudad Rodrigo” — “ Badajoz” —
“ Salamanca” — “ Vittoria”?—** Nivelle’’—“ Orthes’”—
* Toulouse’’— Peninsula.”

CONTENTS.

Anno

1674 The Dutch Government obtains permission ‘to
entertain British Trovps in its service

——- Ten Companies formed—the siege of Grave

—— The Firtu, and three other regiments, formed

1676 Siege of Maestricht

1677 Battle of Mont-Cassel

1678 Battle of St. Denis

1685 The Regiment proceeds to England

— Returns to Holland ‘ ‘ .

1688 Accompanies the Prince of Orange to Mngland-

—— Revolution——Placed on the English Establishment

1690 Proceeds to Ireland ‘ .

Battle of the Boyne

1691 Skirmish near Castle-Cuff, Be.

—— Siege of Athlone

—— Siege of Limerick
—— Returns to England
1692 Proceeds to Flanders
— Returns to England
1693 Expedition to Martinico
—— Returns to England
Proceeds to Flanders

1695 Covering the siege of Namur
1697 Returns to England
1698 Proceeds to Ireland
1707 Embarks for Portugal

vi CONTENTS.

Anno

1709 Battle of Caya ;

1710 Capture of Xeres de los Cabaleros

1713 Embarks for Gibraltar

1727 Defence of Gibraltar

1728 Proceeds to Ireland

1735 Embarks for England .

1737 Returns to Ireland ,

1755 Proceeds to England. ’

1758 Expedition to the Coast of Hrancéaeeutied

of Shipping, &c., at.St. Maloes :

Capture of Cherbourg, &c.—Returns to England

1760 Proceeds to Germany : : :

— Skirmish at Corbach .

—— Battle of Warbourg
Surprise at Zirenberg .
—— Skirmish at Campen
1761 Battle of Kirch-Denkern
—— Affair at Capelnhagen

—— Skirmish at Eimbeck
—— Skirmish at Foorwohle
1762 Battle of Groebenstien, &c.
—— Skirmish at Lutterberg
—— Skirmish at Homburg
Covering the siege of Cassel
1763 Marches through Holland and embarks for
England
Proceeds to Ireland
1767 The ‘* Order of Merit” introduced
1771 Suppression of disturbances in Ireland
1774 Embarks for Boston in North America
1775 Affair at Concord and Lexington
—— Attack on Bunker’s Hill ‘
1776 Embarks from Boston for Nova Scotia
— Reduction of Long Island
—— Action at White Plains

CONTENTS.

Anno

1776 Capture of Forts Washington and Lee ;
— Reduction of New Jersey . -
1777 Expedition to Pundssivenie-aciions: at Brandy-

wine Creek and Germantown ‘ <
1778 Retreat through the Jerseys—skirmish at Free-

hold . ‘ °
—— Expedition to Little Egg Harbour : ‘
—— Reduction of the Island of St. Lucie ;

—— The men equipped with White Plumes
1779
1780
1780 Proceeds to England. . : :
1781 Embarks for Ireland. ‘ :
1787 Proceeds to Canada

1797 Returns to England :

1799 Second battalion formed—both battalions enibark

Min various actions in the West Indies

for Holland
— Action at Walmenhuysen, Shoreldam, and Eg-
mont-op-Zee , : :
— Action at. Winkle
—— Returns to England . ‘ .
1800 Proceeds to Gibraltar. ‘ ; .

1802 Returns to England—Second battalion disbanded

1803 Proceeds to Guernsey

1804 Returns to England—a Second battalion salied

1805 Second battalion to Guernsey—First battalion
embarks for Hanover

1806 First battalion returns to itioadssaibaiie for

South America : ‘ . .
1807 Attack on Buenos Ayres :
—— Both battalions proceed to Ireland a ;

1808 First battalion embarks for Portugal

—— ———Battle of Roleia .

— ————Battle of Vimiera

— —-—— Advances into Spain ateeds to
the coast

viii

Anno

1809

CONTENTS.

First battalion, battle of Corunna °
Returns to England-—proceeds on
the Walcheren expedition . .
First battalion returns to England
— Detachment at the battle of Talavera
Second battalion from Ireland to Portugal
Battle of Busaco—Lines of Torres
Vedras . :
First battalion proceeds from England to Irelan
Second battalion, affair at Redinha j ‘
— Battle of Sabugal
—_—_—_-__—_—_— Battle of Fuentes d’Onor

———__ ————_ Siege of Badajoz
————--—-- Action at El Bodon
——_——_—_-— Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo
—__—_——__——- Siege of Badajoz

First battalion from Ireland to Portugal

Both battalions at the battle of Salamanca
advance to Madrid
Chivalrous spirit of James Grant
Second battalion proceeds to England
First battalion retreats from Madrid to Portugal
Battle of Vittoria
Battle of the Pyrenees
Enters France—battle of Nivelle
Passage of the Nive
Affair near the Gave d’Oleron
Battle of Orthes
Battle of Toulouse ‘
-——_—_—_—_——— Embarks for North America
———— —— Action near Plattsburg
—-- Proceeds from America to Flanders
Advances to Paris .
Forms part of the Army of Oc-
cupation in France

CONTENTS.

The Uniform of 1837 to face 106

Page Anno

63 1818 First battalion proceeds to England : 85
) —— Reduced to one battalion in 1816 : : 86

64 —— Proceeds to the West Indies : ‘ o--

65 1821 Reduced from ten to eight companies. : —
era — 4 1824 Privilege of wearing a distinguishing feather con-

— ; [ firmed ‘ ‘ ; . : 87
; i 1825 Augmented from eight to ten companies : —

66 4 1826 Embarks for England , ; ; —
a q 1827 Proceeds to Ireland . . ; ‘ 88

67 7 1829 To wear a red and white feather ; ; 90

_ ‘ 1830 Good conduct during the Galway election 91

68 a 1831 Six companies embark for Gibraltar, and four

sak i companies remain in Ireland ‘ ‘ 95

me bi 1832 The ‘‘ Order of Merit” sanctioned. : 96

"4 * 1833 Colours destroyed by fire ; : 97

"6 a 1834 Service companies from Gibraltar to Malta 98

18 a —— Facings changed to a lively green : 99

bees 4 1835 Correspondence relative to an additional banner 100

"9 a —— The reserve companies proceed to England . 101

oat e 1836 Equipped as Fusiliers, and styled the Firtu

80 a ReGiment or Foot, on NoRTHUMBERLAND

a om FustLiErs ; ; —

81 a —— “ Wilhelmsthal” inscribed on the Galea : 102

82 a ——- New Colours presented to the regiment ‘ 103

oan 1837 Service companies proceed to Corfu. - 106

_ —— The Conclusion

83

84 4 PLATES.

2 : The Vignette—Badge—to follow . ‘ Title Page
rs 85 a The Uniform of 1688 to face ‘ ‘ . Page 12

mS 4 The Uniform of 1835 to face. ‘ ‘ . 100

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.

Anno
1674 Daniel Viscount of Clare
1675 John Fenwick
1676 Henry Wisely
1680 Thomas Monk
1688 Thomas Tollemache
1689 Edward Lloyd
1694 Thomas Fairfax
1704 Thomas Pearce
1732 John Cope
1737 Alexander Irwin
1752 Charles Whiteford
1754 Lord George Bentinck
1159 Studholme Hodgson
1768 Hugh Earl Percy .
1784 Honourable Edward Stopford’
1794 Sir Alured Clarke, G. C. B.
1801 Richard England
1812 William Wynyard
1819 Sir Henry Johnson, Bart., G.C. B.
1835 The Hon. Sir Charles Colville, G.C.B. ‘ia G.C.H. —

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HISTORICAL RECORD

OF THE

FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

WHEN the treaty of peace between England and 1674
Holland was being negotiated at London in February
1674,* the Dutch Government, remembering the advan-
tages which had been derived from the Auxiliary British
troops in former wars, obtained permission again to en-
tertain in its service certain regiments.

Peace having been concluded, King Charles IT. dis-
banded part of his army in the same year, when many
of the officers and men proceeded to Holland, and the
formation of the British division was commenced. The

original design was to have a division of ten thousand
men, to be commanded-in-chief, under the Prince of
Orange, by Major-General Sir Walter Vane ; but while
the organization of this force was in progress, Sir Walter
was killed at the battle of Seneffe, which was fought on
the 11th of August, 1674; and Sir William Ballandyne
was appointed to succeed him in the command of the

British troops.

* This treaty was conducted, on the part of Great Britain, by
Sir William Temple, whose memoirs and correspondence on the
subject are extant,

B

2 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1674 The formation making rapid progress, in the autumn,
when the Prince of Orange was besieging Grave in
North Brabant, he was informed that ten English and
Irish companies, complete and fit for service, were at
Bois-le-Duc, about 18 miles distant, and his Highness,
eager to avail himself of their services, immediately
ordered them to join the army. In this siege the ten
companies gave presage of that gallantry for which
they afterwards became celebrated; they lost several
men, and Sir William Ballandyne was also killed by a
cannon-ball.

The capture of Grave, which took place on the 28th of
October, terminated the campaign; the troops were sent
into quarters; and during the winter four regiments of
British subjects were formed at Bois-le- Duc ;—two Eng-
lish— one Scots,—and one Irish ;—the latter is now de-
signated the Firra Reciment or Foor, or NorTuum-
BERLAND FsI.iers, and its services form the subject of
this narrative. Its first Colonel was Daniel O'Brien, Vis-

: count of Clare; but this nobleman resigned soon after-
wards, and quitted Holland. The regiment was com-
manded, ad interim, by Lieutenant-Colonel Anselmne,
who had previously served with much honour in the
Spanish service.

1675 In 1675 the command of this regiment was conferred
on Colonel John Fenwick, who had distinguished himself
at the battle of Seneffe: at this period the regiment dis-
continued the designation of “Irish,” and many English
gentlemen received commissions in it.

After leaving its quarters at Bois-le-Duc in the spring
of 1675, the regiment was encamped for a short time on
one of the beautiful plains of Louvain, and it was sub-
sequently employed in manceuvring near the frontiers of
France and in the Principality of Liege. ‘The progress

ne et mS IB ene te Sant atin, oe tN ht aC i rR > mee ma "

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, 3

tumn, : of the campaign was impeded by the severe indisposition 1675
ve an a of the Prince of Orange; no engagement of importance
h and | occurred, and in the autumn the regiment marched to
pre at the Dutch Netherlands and passed the winter in garri-
hness, | son at Utrecht.
iately In the summer of 1676 the regiment marched to 1676
ae ten Brabant, and was stationed at Bois-le-Duc, preparatory
which | to some expedition of importance. This occurred in the
everal : early part of July, and the men were in high spirits, anti-
lby a cipating some splendid adventure. About two o'clock in

the morning the drums beat “to arms ;” the regiment im-
Sth of mediately assembled at the alarm-post, and commenced
e sent its march for the province of Limburg, being joined by
nts of ag other corps every day. On the fifth day, the Prince of
Eng- z Orange appeared at the head of the troops, and, to the
w de- surprise of the enemy, the famous city of Maestricht
Um. was besieged. This city, which was well fortified with

ject of all the works which art could suggest, was defended by
1, Vis- 8000 chosen men commanded by Monsieur Calvo, a
after- resolute Catalonian. ‘The Prince of Orange attended to
com- the progress of the siege; and after the arrival of the
Imne, battering train, the works were carried on with vigour.

n the The three English regiments * were formed in one

ferred * “In this siege the Prince and the Rhingrave were ever at
self “* the head of the attacks, and made great use as well as proof, of
; “the desperate courage of the English troops."—Sir William

t dis- ae Temple’s Memoirs.
glish - ‘* Amongst the rest of the trovps that lay before the town, the
a “ English under Colonels Fenwick, Widdrington, and Ashley, to
; ‘the number of 2600 men, petitioned his Highness to assign
pring ' “them a particular quarter, that they might be commanded
eon “‘ separately, that so, if they behaved themselves like valiant
4 “‘men, they might have all the honour, and if otherwise, all the
“shame to themselves. This request his Highness readily
ers of “ granted, and they made it appear, by their fierce attacks, that
bgress “ they deserved this distinction.” —Boyer’s Life of King William.

B 2

5 sub-

aris” ES

4 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1676 Brigade, and they soon distinguished themselves, beating

back the sallies of the garrison with great slaughter.
On the 30th of July, a storming party of two hundred
men, furnished in equal proportions by the three regi-
ments, attacked the Dauphin Bastion, and after a severe
contest effected a lodgment, but afterwards lost their
ground: this proved a :anguinary affair, and 150 men
were killed and wounded out of the two hundred. On the
2nd of August the Brigade was again on duty in the
trenches, when Colonel Fenwick was wounded.

The Prince of Orange resolved to make a second
attack on the Dauphin Bastion on the 4th of August,
when a detachment from the Brigade, commanded by
Captain Anthony Barnwell of Fenwick’s regiment, with
another from the Dutch Foot Guards, commanded by
Baron Sparr, formed the storming party.* At three
o'clock the Brigade was under arms with the storming
party in front; and at five the gallant little band, ad-
vancing under a tempest of bullets, went cheering to the
attack and carried the bastion in gallant style—the Eng-
lish, gaining the lead of the Dutch, first made a lodg-
ment. Scarcely, however, had the soldiers gained a
footing, when the French sprung a mine and blew many

* The English made their attack in the following order :—
2 Serjeants and 10 Firelocks.
1 Serjeant and 12 Grenadiers.
1 Officer, 1 Serjeant, and 12 Grenadiers.
1 Lieutenant, 2 Serjeants, and 30 Firelocks,
1 Serjeant and 12 men with Half-pikes.
1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 2 Serjeants, and 50 Firelocks.
1 Serjeant and 12 men with Half-pikes.
1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Serjeant, and 28 men with spades
and shovels.
The support
1 Captain, 1 Serjeant, and 58 Men.—London Gazette.

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spades

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 5

of the men into the air, and following this up with a
fierce attack, regained possession of the works. The
heroic English were, however, “ resolute to win ;”—they
returned to the attack, and fighting with a strength and
majesty which nothing could withstand, drove back the
French, and re-established themselves on the bastion ;
but their commander, Captain Barnwell, was killed, and
more than half the officers and men of the party were
killed and wounded.

About five in the morning of the 6th of August a des-
perate sally was made by three hundred Swiss Infantry,
and, owing to the neglect of a sentry, they surprised and
made prisoners the English guard on the bastion; but a
reinforcement from the Brigade came forward to thei
rescue, and, after saluting the assailants with a few vol-
leys, and a shower of hand-grenades, made a furious
charge, retaking the bastion and chasing the Swiss In-
fantry with prodigious slaughter to the palisadoes of the
counterscarp, destroying the whole detachment, except
about twenty men who escaped into the town. The
Prince of Orange complimented the Brigade on its dis-
tinguished bravery, and made each of the three regiments
a present of a fat ox and six sheep.*

On the 15th of August Colonel Fenwick’s _regi-
ment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Wisely (the

* «The English Brigade being frequently put on the most
“ desperate attacks, and always behaving themselves according
“* to their accustomed bravery; his Highness, after a very sharp
‘ night’s service performed by them, gave each regiment a fat
“ox, and six sheep, which they killed and hung upon poles in
“sight of the army, to divide into equal parts to each company.
“ Some of the Dutch murmuring at this bounty tothe English in
‘* particular, were told that the same was given to save Dutch-
“men’s lives, and therefore they ought to be thankful to his
“ Highness for it.”— Life of Major John Bernardi.

1676 Colonel not having recovered from his wounds) was on

sis. oom ica ab sta cular

6

THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

duty in the trenches, when the enemy made another
furious sally ; but they were nobly received by the regi-
ment; a fierce combat ensued, in which the strength and
unconquerable spirit of the English again excited the
admiration of the Prince of Orange, and a reinforcement
arriving, the French were driven back with great loss.

The progress of the siege had been marked by sur-
prising energy, but it was prolonged by the resolute
defence of the garrison; and when all things were
ready for a general assault, a French army of over-
whelming numbers, commanded by Marshal Schomberg,
advanced to its relief. The Prince of Orange imme-
diately raised the siege and retired; and the three Eng-
lish regiments, having ‘sustained a severe loss, and having
nearly half the number of the surviving officers and men
wounded, were sent into quarters of refreshment in Hol-
land. At the same time a misunderstanding occurred
between Colonel (afterwards Sir John) Fenwick and the
Prince, and the Colonel resigned his commission ; when
his Highness gave the Colonelcy of the regiment to the
Lieutenant-Colonel, Henry Wisely.

The French, while amusing the Allies with negotia-
tions for a peace, commenced the campaign of 1677,
with great vigour, and with such an immense army, that
the feeble preparations of the Dutch, and the apathy of
the Spaniards, left the Prince of Orange without an
army capable of resisting the enemy. He, however,
resolved to attempt the relief of St. Omers, which was
besieged by the French; the English Brigade was or-
dered to West Flanders, to take part in the enterprise,
and it was encamped a short time on the plains of the
Yperlee. In the early part of April, the Prince ad-
vanced with his little army, and on the 11th of that

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 7

month he fought the battle of Mont-Cassel under great 1677

disadvantages in numbers, and in the nature of the
ground. The English Brigade behaved with its usual
gallantry ; but the army was defeated, and the Prince
retreated with the loss of his baggage and artillery.
The Brigade was afterwards employed in manceuvring
and in defensive operations until the autumn, when it
went into quarters. The Prince of Orange proceeded to
England, and was married to the Princess Mary on the
14th of November, 1677.

Before the following spring, Major-General the Earl 1678

of Ossory arrived from England to command the six
British regiments in the Dutch service, and ten thousand
English troops, commanded by the Duke of Monmouth,
were ordered to proceed to Flanders to take part in the
war.

The Earl of Ossory’s brigade was early in the
field: it was employed a short time on detached ser-
vices in the Netherlands, and was afterwards en-
camped near the ground where the battle of Waterloo
was fought in June, 1815. In the mean time the French
besieged Mons, the capital of the province of Hainault,
and their covering army occupied a strong position, with
its right at the Abbey of St. Denis, and its left at
Mamoy St. Pierre. The Prince of Orange assembled
his army, and after advancing several stages, he en-
camped near the little river Senne, about seven miles
from Mons; and on the morning of the 14th of August,
1678, his Highness put the troops in motion to attack
the enemy.

The British Brigade, led by the Earl of Ossory, moved
from its camp along a difficult tract of country, until it
came in front of a hill occupied by the enemy’s left
wing, where it was destined to make its attack, in con-
junction with the Dutch Foot Guards. The signal for

8 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1678 the attack was given, when the British Grenadiers,
springing forward with lighted matches, threw a shower
of hand-grenades, which, bursting amongst the ranks
of the enemy, did much execution. The Musqueteers
followed, and opening a sharp fire, were answered by the
volleys of the enemy; their fire was soon succeeded by
the charge of the Pikemen, who went cheering on-
ward to the attack, while the Musqueteers, drawing their
swords, joined in the onset with admirable spirit and
resolution,—and the enemy gave way. One attack was
succeeded by another; the French, driven from field to
field, still rallied and returned to the fight. Pike to pike
and sword to sword, the combatants maintained a fierce
conflict, while the hand-grenades flew in every direction,
and the heights of Castehau presented a varied scene of
turmoil and slaughter, in the midst of which the Prince
of Orange and the Duke of Monmouth appeared, mixed
with the combatants, and urging forward the storm of
battle.* A French captain levelled his pistol at the
Prince, but General D’Auverquerque killed the captain
before he had time to fire, and thus saved his Highness’s
life, for which service the States made him a present of a
valuable sword, Night at length put an end to the fight,
and the Irench afterwards made a precipitate retreat.

* « The Earl of Ossory with his troops performed wonders.”—
London Gazette, No. 1329.

Brussels.—-‘ Many wounded men have been brought hither,
“which are most of the Prince of Orange's Guards, and the
“« English and Scots regiments, who did things to the admiration
“of those that beheld them.”—Zondon Gazette, No. 1330.

“ The Earl of Ossory, with the English and Scots regiments,
‘engaged in the attack on the side of Castehau, in which the
‘* Officers and Soldiers, in imitation of his Lordship, who always
“ charged with them, behaved themselves with that courage and
“ bravery which is so natural to them, and consequently suffered
** much.”—Account of the Battle of St. Denis.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS g

Archer, Lieutenant Charlton, and about fifty men killed :
also Major Hales, Captain Charlton, Captain Coleman,
Captain Floyd, Captain Dupuy, Lieutenant Augerne,
Lieutenant Marchany, Lieutenant Wilson, Ensign Barn-
well, Ensign Arnesby, and upwards of a hundred men
wounded. The loss in the other regiments of the Brigade
was also equally great.

In the mean time preliminary articles for a treaty of
peace had been agreed upon at Nimeguen; a cessation
of hostilities took place on the day after the battle;
and the Brigade, after encamping a few months in
Flanders, marched to Holland, where it received the
thanks of the States-General for its meritorious services.

The restoration of peace was followed by a reduction
in the numbers of the Dutch Army; but the Prince of
Orange, and the States-General of the United Provinces,
were so sensible of the advantages they had derived from
the services of the British troops, that they were desirous
of retaining the six regiments in their service. A new
treaty was concluded on this subject, and the States
agreed to send the regiments to England, whenever the
King required them to do so.

Colonel Wisely’s regiment was marched to Grave, 1679
y 8

where it was employed on garrison duty four years; and

in 1680, its Colonel having been drowned when on his 1680

passage to England, the Colonelcy was conferred on
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Monk, of Sir Henry Bellasis’
regiment (now Sixth Foot).

Upon the prospect of hostilities with France, in 1684, 1684

the regiment marched from Grave, and was encamped
for a short time near Brussels, and afterwards on the
banks of the Dender; but no war breaking out, it
proceeded into quarters at Mechilin.

The regiment lost in this action Lieutenant-Colonel 1678

1685

10 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

In the succeeding year the death of King Charles II.
and the accession of James II., a professed Papist, being
followed by a rebellion in Scotland, headed by the Earl
of Argyle, and another in England, headed by the Duke
of Monmouth, the six British regiments were applied for
by the King, and they were accordingly embarked for
England under the command of the following officers :—

Colonel Sir Henry Bellasis,—now Sixth Foot.
Colonel Alexander Cannon,—afterwards disbanded.

Three Scots fColonel Kirkpatrick.

Three English {ese Thomas Monk,—now Fifth Foot.

Regiments.

Regiments. leaean Sir Alexander Colyear.
olonel Hugh Mackay.

The three Scots regiments were, in the first instance,
ordered for Scotland, but. the rebellion in the North
having been suppressed, they landed at Gravesend on
the 30th of June, 1685, and having been reviewed on
Blackheath by the King, marched through London to-
wards the West.* The three English regiments landed
a few days afterwards; but the rebel army having been
defeated at Sedgemoor, on the 6th of July, they en-
camped on Blackheath, and afterwards on Hounslow
Heath, where the Brigade was assembled and reviewed
by his Majesty, and the efficiency, discipline, and ap-
pearance of the several corps, excitod universal admira-

“ Whitehall, 4th July, 1685.

* “Turis day three Scots Regiments of Foot, consisting of
*‘ about 1500 men, lately come from Holland, marched through
“ the city, on their way to Hounslow Heath, where they are to
‘“‘encamp. They are the best men, and best prepared for ser-
‘* vice, that ever were seen, having their tents, and all other
“ necessaries of their own with them. To-morrow the three
“ English Regiments are expected from Holland,

“‘ I send your Grace the Articles of War, prepared by his Ma-
“ jesty’s order for the present occasion.

“ Witt1aAmM BuatHwayTE,
“ To the Duke of Albemarle.” “ Secretary at War.

War-Office Records.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 11

tion.* The rebellion having been suppressed, the six
regiments returned to Holland, and were again employed
in garrison duty. The three English regiments were on
the English establishment from the 5th of June, to the
3rd of August, 1685, and the Scots’ regiments a few days
longer.

The arbitrary proceedings of King James, with his
advances towards the subversion of the Protestant reli-
gion, occasioned much anxiety to the Prince of Orange,
who was married to the presumptive heiress to the
throne; at the same time, the King was jealous of the
attachment of the nation to his son-in-law, and in 1687 1687
his Majesty demanded the return of the British regi-
ments in the Dutch service. The States-General, in
concert with the Prince, resolved not to part with these
favourite corps, for whose services they expected soon to
have urgent occasion ; at the same time they laid no con-
straint upon the officers, but allowed them either to re-
main in Holland or to return to England, at their own

*While the Fifth was in England one of its officers, Cornet
George Carleton, quitted the Dutch service, and obtained a
commission in a newly-raised regiment on the English establish-
ment. This officer served as a volunteer with the Fleet under
the Duke of York in 1672 and 1673; and in the same capacity
with the army, commanded by the Prince of Orange, from 1674
to 1676, when he obtained a commission in the Fifth. He saw
much service in the reign of King William III.; and served
during the war of the Spanish succession, as engineer, with the
army in Valencia and Catalonia; and was made prisoner at the
surrender of Denia in 1708. In 1728 he published an interesting
narrative of his services, interspersed with many curious anec-
dotes, under the title of Military Memoirs, which are allowed to
contain the best account extant of the services of the Earl of
Peterborough in Spain. These memoirs were reprinted in 1741
with the title of History of the two last Wars, and again in 1743,
with that of Memoirs of Captain George Carleton; and a new
edition appeared in 1809, with the latter title.

ee
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ae

12 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1687 free choice. Out of two hundred and forty officers,* only

sixty | embraced the latter alternative ; the rest bound
themselves “to stand by and defend the Prince of
Orange against all persons whatsoever.”

The colonelcy of the regiment having become vacant
by the death of Colonel Monk, it was conferred by the
Prince of Orange on Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Tolle-
mache, { formerly of the Coldstream Guards.

The violent proceedings of the British Court at length

occasioned many of the nobility to solicit the Prince of

Orange to come with an armed force to their aid; and
as the fate of all the other Protestant States in Europe
appeared to depend on the preservation of Great Britain
from Papal domination, the Prince and the States-
General acquiesced. Thus the six British regiments had
the honourable and glorious privilege of engaging in an
enterprise for the deliverance of their native land from
the attempts to establish Popish ascendancy, and the
consequent chances of civil war. On receiving positive

advice of the preparations in Holland, “ the King was

* One of the officers who quitted the Dutch service on this
occasion was Captain John Bernardi, of the Fifth. He obtained
® commission in the regiment at its formation in 1674; had
distinguished himself on several occasions, and had received
many honourable wounds.

At the Revolution in 1688, he adhered to King James, and
served in his cause in Ireland and Scotland. He subsequently
resided in London, and being implicated in the plot to assassinate
King William, in 1696, he was imprisoned, Although his guilt
could not be established, and he was never brought to trial, yet
he was detained in prison by authority of an Act of Parliament
passed expressly for that purpose. Alter remaining upwards of
thirty years in continement, he wrote his life, which was pub-
lished in 1729; and contains many interesting particulars rela-
tive to the early services of the regiment.

* Life of Major John Bernardi.—Rapin says only forty de-
clared for King James.

* This officer’s name is sometimes written Talmash.

FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT (NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIBRS),.

-_= ica ww “ety eel em
sy aS woe RR ON ei GU is Fe ee re I rs

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 13

“ speechless, and, as it were, thunderstruck. The airy 1688
‘castle of a dispensing arbitrary power raised by the
‘‘magic spells of jesuitical councils vanished away in a
‘moment, and the deluded monarch, freed from his

«“ inchantment by the approach of the Prince of Orange,
‘found himself on the brink of a precipice, whilst all

« his flatterers stood amazed and confounded.” * The
King at length assembled an army of about 30,000 men,

and sent Lord Dartmouth to sea with the fleet.

The Prince of Orange’s army, consisting of about
15,000 men, of which “the most formidable were the six
‘¢ British regiments,” ¢ put to sea, after some delay from
tempestuous weather, on the Ist of November, 1688;
“the trumpets sounding, the hautboys playing, the
“soldiers and seamen shouting, and a crowd of specta-
“tors on the shore breathing forth their wishes after
“them.” { Sailing in three divisions, the first, con-
sisting of the English and Scots, commanded by Major-
General Mackay, under a red flag; the second, being
the Prince’s Guards and the Brandenburgers, commanded
by Count Solms, undera white flag; and the Dutch with
a corps of French Protestants, commanded by the Count
of Nassau, under a blue flag: they passed triumphantly
through the British Channel and landed on the Devon-
shire coast on the 5th of November. Colonel Tolle-
mache’s regiment (the Fifth) landed at Brixham key,
two miles from Dartmouth, from whence it marched
to Exeter and afterwards to Honiton, where, on the
night of the 13th, it was joined by a number of men of
the Earl of Oxford’s and Duke of St. Alban’s regiments
of horse, and of the Royal Regiment of Dragoons, who
had quitted the service of King James to espouse

* Boyer’s Life of King William. + Dalrymple.
* Boyer.

14 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1688 the national cause. These desertions were followed by

others of a more important character; and King James,
discovering that his army would not be subservient to
his designs against the kingdom, fled to France. Wil-

1689 liam and Mary, Prince and Princess of Orange, were

solicited to ascend the throne; and thus the Revolution
was happily effected without that sacrifice of human life
which such events usually occasion. Colonel Tollemache’s
regiment had, in the mean time, marched to the vicinity
of London, and it afterwards proceeded into quarters in
the western counties. It was now permanently placed
on the English establishment, and taking date from the
5th of June, 1685, the day on which it first received pay
from the British crown, as before stated, it obtained
rank as Firtu ReGtment oF Foot in the British Line.

Colonel Tollemache having been promoted to the
command of the Coldstream Guards, the Colonelcy of
the FirtH was conferred on Lieutenant-Colonel Edward
Lloyd, by commission dated the Ist of May, 1689; and
in the following month the regiment marched from the
west of England for London, and was quartered in
Southwark until October, when it embarked at Dept-
ford and Greenwich for Plymouth, and in December
marched into Cornwall, with detached companies in
Devonshire.

In the mean time Ireland had become the seat of war,
and King James was at the head of the Roman Ca-
tholics, and a French auxiliary force, in that kingdom,
while the Duke of Schomberg commanded the Irish
Protestants and English troops; and in the spring of
1690 the FirtH Foot was ordered thither. The regi-
ment, accordingly, proceeded to Bristol, where it em-
barked; and having landed at Belfast on the 20th of
April, marched to Lisburn, and encamped near the banks

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 15

of the Lagan until the 9th June, when it proceeded to 1690
Armagh and erected its tents on the undulating grounds

in that neighbourhood, where an encampment was
formed of four regiments of English infantry, with three
regiments of Danish horse and eight of foot.

King William having arrived in Ireland, the regiment
marched to Dundalk, where the army was assembled ;
and on the Ist of July the enemy was attacked in his
position on the banks of the river Boyne. The Firta
was in Brigadier-General Trelawny’s brigade, and by its
gallant conduct it contributed to the signal victory
gained on this occasion. The enemy evacuated Dublin
a few days after the battle, when the regiment was ordered
to proceed thither, and it remained in garrison in that
city during the remainder of the campaign.

The regiment left Dublin in the early part of 1691, 1691
and in April it was stationed at Mountmelick. The
troops quartered in that neighbourhood were frequently
disturbed by bands of armed Roman Catholic peasantry,
called Rapparees, who concealed themselves in the day-
time, and at night prowled about the country, commit-
ting every description of depredation: to check these
proceedings, a detachment of 200 men of the Firru,
commanded by Major Rider, with 100 men of Lord
George Hamilton’s regiment, and 50 troopers of Colonel
Byerley’s Horse,—now 6th Dragoon Guards,—the whole
commanded by Major Wood,* marched out of Mount-
melick at nine o’clock on the evening of the 4th of
May, and, dividing themselves into several small par-
ties, they traversed the woods and bogs for several
miles, frequently encountering lurking parties of the
enemy, whom they attacked, killing seventy men and

* Afterwards the celebrated General Wood, who was many
years Colonel of the 4th Horse, now 3rd Dragoon Guards.

16 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1691 capturing a quantity of cattle, which Major Wood sent
to Mountmelick under a guard of thirty men. The
remainder continued their search until about ten o’clock
on the following day, when Major Wood, with one
party of 34 horsemen, and 30 foot, discovered two
battalions of the enemy’s regular army of about 400
men each, marching silently between the wood and
mountains, not far from Castle-Cuff; at the same time
the enemy espied Major Wood and his little detach-
meut. The English, with a noble bearing and auda-
city, formed up in a ploughed field to oppose this
formidable host, and the Irish instantly sent forward
their grenadiers to commence the attack, but perceiv-
ing the undaunted countenance of the detachment, they
halted at a distance. A sharp firing was at this instant
heard beyond the forest, and Major Wood, apprehend-
ing that the party with the cattle was attacked, pro-
ceeded to its assistance; but Lieutenant Ellis and the
thirty foot, behaved like valiant men, and, having re-
pulsed a superior force, effected their retreat with the
bocty. The firing had brought a detachment of 80 men
of the Firtu from the opposite side of the forest, and
Major Wood, having now 34 horsemen and 110 foot with
him, resolved, notwithstanding the disparity of numbers,
to attack the enemy’s column. He accordingly divided
his foot into two parties, and directed them to attack
the enemy in front, while he himself with the horse made
a short compass to gain the enemy’s rear. This gallant
little band, advancing boldly against the enemy’s masses>
commenced the attack with a fury and resolution which
the Irish could not Withstand, and they attempted to
retreat ; but at that moment Major Wood with his tnirty-
four troopers came galloping from amongst the trees and
charged the flank of the column with admirable courage

sent
The
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OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 17

and resolution; the heavy horse, breaking through the 1691

ranks, trampled down the Irish in a terrible manner.
The column was now become a confused rabble, scat-
tered in wild disorder, and cut down by the English
horsemen on every side; while the English foot, slinging
their muskets and drawing their swords, joined in the
pursuit and chased the enemy a considerable distance.
One hundred and fifty of the Irish were killed on the
spot; and 1 ‘major, 5 captains, 9 lieutenants, 2 en-
signs, | adjutant, 1 surgeon, 6 serjeants, 17 corporals,
3 drummers, and 82 private men, were made prisoners;
150 muskets were also collected, which the [rish had
thrown away to facilitate their flight. “ And all this
“was done by 110 of our foot and 34 horse. With
“the foot were Major Rider, Captain Nenny, Captain
“ Dixey, Lieutenant Barton, and Ensign Russel. With
“ the horse, were Cornet Jocelyn, Cornet Hasleton, and
« Adjutant Robinson, with Quartermasters Davies and
“ Cadford; who all, both horse and foot, behaved
“extremely well, and with the loss only of one corporal
“killed, and Adjutant Robinson, with two foot soldiers
“ and one trooper, wounded *.”

On the 12th of May, another party of the regiment
was out scouring the woods, when 18 Rapparees were
killed and several made prisoners.

In June, the Firru advanced with the army to Ath-
lone, and took part in the siege, which was commenced
on the 19th of that month: on the 30th the Grenadier
company formed part of the storming party commanded
by Major-General Mackay. The attack was made at
six in the evening, when the forlorn hope, consisting of
Captain Sandys, with 2 Lieutenants and 60 Grenadiers,

* London Gazette, No. 2661; Dublin Intelligencer; and
Story’s History of the Wars in Treland.
Cc

18 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1691 all in armour, entered the Shannon, which was breast
high, under a sharp fire, and were followed by the re-
mainder of the storming party, who passed, some at the
bridge of boats, and others by planks laid across the
broken arches of the stone bridge. The party, having
gained the opposite shore, threw forward a shower of
hand-grenades, which put the Irish in confusion; then
gallantly ascending the breaches forced their way through
every obstacle, and in less than half an hour were masters
of the town, with the loss of only 12 men killed, and 5
officers with 30 men wounded; but the enemy had
about 500 men killed. Colonel Lloyd was appointed
Governor of Athloie. and when the army advanced, the
Firtu, and Lieutenant-General Douglas’s regiments,
were left in garrison; and the battering train was left in
their charge,

After the battle of Aghrim, when the army was about
to besiege Limerick, the Firtu, and a party of Militia,
were ordered to advance with the heavy artillery ; they,
accordingly, left Athlone on the 12th of August, and
joined the army at Cariganless on the 16th. The siege
was commenced a few days afterwards, and the Firtu
was actively employed until the surrender of the place
on the 3rd of October. This conquest terminated the
war in Ireland, and the regiment, being immediately
ordered to embark for England, landed at Highlake, near
Chester, on the 29th of December, from whence it
marched to Nottingham, Derby, and other inland towns,
where it commenced recruiting its numbers.

1692 Three weeks, however, only elapsed before it was
ordered to march to London, where it remained but a
few days, and towards the end of February 1692 em-
barked for Flanders to join the army of the Allies, who
were engaged in a war with France. The regiment

"RSH oo ko as

-_
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OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

19

when the King of France assembled about 20,000 men
near La Hogue, and ordered his fleet to prepare to
convey them to England, with the view of replacing
King James on the throne; the Second, Firru, and
Fourteenth regiments of Foot were consequently ordered
to return: and these corps, having landed at Greenwich in
the early part of May, were stationed along the southern
coast. In the mean time the British and Dutch fleets
had put to sea, and while England and France were
gazing, in anxious expectation, at these preparations, the
French fleet sustained a decisive defeat off La Hogue,
and the alarm of invasion vanished. The Firtx_ con-
tinued in extensive cantonments near the coast until Qc-
tober, when it marched to Portsmouth to perform duty
in that garrison.

During the summer of 1693 the regiment was em-
barked on board the fleet, and, proceeding with an ex-
pedition to Martinico, it effected a landing, drove the
enemy’s troops from the coast, and laid waste several
French settlements on that Island. In ‘the autumn it
landed at Portsmouth and marched into cantonments in
Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

The severe loss sustained this summer by the Allies at
the battle of Landen, occasioned a strong reinforcement
to be sent to Flanders during the winter, and the Firtu
was one of the regiments selected for foreign service. It
accordingly embarked at Greenwich and Deptford in
December, and, after landing at Ostend, marched to
Sluys, a fortified town situated on an arm of the sea,
where the regiment remained several months.

was scarcely placed in cantonments in West Flanders, 1692

1693

After leaving Sluys in the middle of May, 1694, the 1694

regiment pitched its tents on the levels near Ghent, and
afterwards at Tirlemont in South Brabant, forming part
c2

20 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1694 of the army commanded by King William III. in person.
On the 15th of June it was detached, with other corps,
to take post near the Abbey of Lenthen. During the
subsequent part of the campaign it was employed in
several military operations, and in the autumn marched
into barracks at Bruges. The death of its Colonel
having taken place on the 26th of August, his Majesty
conferred the vacant Colonelecy on Lieutenant-Colonel
Thomas Fairfax, by commission dated the 6th of Novem-
ber, 1694.

1695 After remaining in garrison at Bruges until the 25th
of May, 1695, the Firrx took the field and was encamped
a short time on the verdant plains near the river Lys;
and when King William undertook the siege of the
strong fortress of Namur, the regiment formed part of the
covering army commanded by the Prince of Vaudemont.

While the King was carrying on the siege, a French
force of superior numbers, commanded by Marshal
Villeroy, advanced to attack the covering army. On the
evening of the 14th of July the Allies were formed in
order of battle ; the immense columns of the enemy were
seen in the open grounds in their front, and the hostile
armies passed the night under arms, expecting to engage
at the break of day; at the same time the French had
detached a division under Monsieur de Montal to turn
the right flank of the allied army. This occasioned the
Prince to order a retreat, which he masked with excellent
judgment: the cavalry advancing to the front, the
dragoons dismounting and forming on foot; while the
artillery, and infantry with their pikes trailed, quietly
withdrew. The enemy, anticipating success, prepared
for the attack; but in a moment, the British dragoons,
retiring a few paces, mounted their horses, and when the
enemy thought to have commenced the battle, the ske-

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, 21

leton squadrons withdrew; presenting to the surprised 1695
French the magic spectacle of what appeared to be an
army vanishing out of sight. ‘The enemy’s cavalry gal-
loped forward in pursuit ; but the . ‘lies continued their
retreat in good order, and at six o'clock on the morning
of the 16th were in position in front of Ghent.

The Firtn was afterwards engaged in a series of
manoeuvres for the preservation of the maritime towns
of Flanders, and for the protection of the troops before
Namur. In the early part of August it was encamped
between Genappe and Waterloo, and subsequently before
Namur, which capitulated on the 22nd of August.
From Namur the regiment marched to Nieuport, and
encamped on the sand-hills near that town; and, remain-
ing in the field until late in the season, when the weather
was particularly wet and cold, the men were ordered to
build straw huts; but towards the end of October they
marched to Bruges.

On the 12th of May, 1696, the regiment marched out 1696
of the barracks at Bruges, and encamped behind the

banks of the canal near the town. During the campaign

of this year its services were limited to the protection of
Ghent and Bruges from an attack which the French com-
manders made several demonstrations of a design of
making on these towns; and it passed the winter in its
former station at Bruges.

From Bruges, the regiment marched, in the spring of 1697
1697, to Brussels; and on the 12th of April proceeded
through the forest of Soigne and pitched its tents near
the village of Waterloo, where an encampment was
formed of twelve regiments of infantry under the Count
de Noyelles. The Firtx was subsequently employed in
a series of defensive operations until September, when
the war was terminated by the treaty of Ryswick ; and,

22 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

ee Se

ance

1697 being ordered to return to England immediately after-
wards, it landed in December,—eight companies at
Greenwich and two at Dover.

1698 The regiment remained but a short time in England
before it was ordered to proceed to Chester, where it
embarked for Ireland, and in August, 1698, it arrived at
Dublin.

1704 On the Sth of February, 1704, Queen Anne appointed
Colonel Thomas Pearce from a newly-raised regiment of
foot (afterwards disbanded) to the Coloneley of the
Firtu in succession to Thomas Fairfax.

During the early part of the war of the Spanish suc-
cession, this regiment was stationed in Ireland; but the
united English, Dutch, and Portuguese armies having,

1766 in 1706, advanced to Madrid, the enemy cut off their
communication with Portugal; the troops retired from
Madrid to Valencia and Catalonia, and from that period
their only communication with Portugal was by sea.
At the same time it was found necessary to have a small
army on the frontiers of Portugal, and the Firtu, Twen-
tieth, Thirty-ninth, and a newly-raised regiment com-
manded by Colonel Stanwix, having been selected for

1707 this service, sailed from Cork on the 22nd of May, 1707,
and landed at the capital of Portugal on the 8th of
June*. This seasonable reinforcement arriving soon
after the defeat of the allied army at Almanza, in the
south-east of Spain, and at the moment when the enemy,
having captured Serpa and Moura in the Alentejo, had
seized on the bridge of Olivenza in Portuguese Estre-
madura, and menaced that important place with a siege,
its presence revived the drooping spirits of the Portuguese.

* Inquiry into the Management of the War in Spain, Part IT.
Account of Embarkations, page 9.— London Gazettes, 4340, 4347,
and 4348.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 93

The four regiments, being the only British troops in that 1707
part of the country, were disembarked with every possible
expedition, and marched to the frontiers under the com-
mand of the Marquis de Montandre, when the enemy
immediately ceased to act on the offensive and retired *.
The four regiments, having halted at Estremos, a strong
town of the Alentejo, situate on an agreeable tract on
the Tarra, remained in this pleasant quarter during the
summer heats, and afterwards encamped in the fruitful
valley of the Caya near Elvas, having detached parties
on the flanks to prevent the enemy making incursions

=

ete ie ieee Te

into Portugal, in which service the regiments were en-
gaged until November, when they went into quarters in
the towns on the frontiers of Portugal.

The regiment again took the field in the spring of 1708
1708, and was encamped at Fuente de Sapatores be-
tween Elvas and Campo Mayor. The British division
was soon aft:rwards increased to six regiments, by the
arrival of the Thirteenth + and a newly-raised regiment
(Paston’s) from England ; and the little army in the Alen-
tejo was commanded by the Marquis de Fronteira; but

the characteristic inactivity of the Portuguese occasioned
the services of the Firra to be limited to defensive opera-

* “ Estremos.—The enemy, having resolved to besiege Olivenza,
‘* or oblige the Portuguese to a battle, had all their heavy cannon
“and fascines in readiness before the town; but upon the ap-
“ proach of the four regiments lately arrived from Ireland, they
“retired in great precipitation, and sent away their cannon to
“ Badajoz. These regiments are in very good condition, and will
“ be able to do great service.”— bid. No. 4350.

t+ In 1706, six hundred and sixty men of the Thirteenth Foot
were formed into a regiment of Dragoons by the Earl of Peter-
borough, in Catalonia, and the Colonelcy conferred on the Lieu-
tenant-Colonel, Edward Pearce. The remainder of the regiment
returned to England to recruit, and, having completed the esta-
blishment, arrived in Portugal as above stated. The regiment of
Dragoons thus formed was disbanded at the peace of Utrecht.

24 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1708 tions, It was encamped in the autumn at Campo
Mayor, and afterwards proceed into cantonments.

1709 After moving from its quarters in the spring of 1709,
the regiment was again engaged in active operations. It
was first encamped near Estremos, from whence it pro-
ceeded on the 23rd of April to Elvas, and was subse-
quently encamped with the army on the banks of the
Caya, where the Earl of Galway, who had been removed
from the army in Catalonia, appeared at the head of the
British division.

On the 7th of May the French and Spaniards, com-
manded by the Marquis de Bay, marched in the direction
of Campo Mayor, when the Portuguese generals, con-
trary to the advice of the Earl of Galway, resolved to
pass the Caya and attack the enemy. The Portuguese
cavalry and artillery took the lead, and, having passed
the river and gained the opposite heights, opened a sharp

eannonade ; but upon the advance of their adversaries to
charge, these squadrons faced about and galloped out of
the field, leaving their cannon behind. The British divi-
sion, arriving at the moment, repulsed the enemy; and
the leading brigade, consisting of the Thirteenth, Stan-

wix's, and Galway’s regiments, commanded by Briga-
dier-General Thomas Pearce, charging with great fury,
recaptured the Portuguese guns; but the three regi-
ments, pressing forward too far, were surrounded and
made prisoners, and with them Major-Generals Sankey
and the Earl of Barrymore, and Brigadier-General
Thomal Pearce, fell into the hands of the enemy*. At
the same time the Firru, Twentieth, Thirty-ninth, and
Lord Paston’s regiments, though deserted by the whole
of the cavalry, made a determined stand, bearing the

* Annals of Queen Anne, and London Gazette,

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 95

brunt of the enemy's reiterated attacks with admirable 1709
firmness, until the Portuguese infantry had retired ; then
moving to the rear in firm array—while the balls flew
thick on every side, and the Earl of Galway’s horse was
shot under him,—the enemy coming on in full career,
threatening the destruction of this little band; yet, with
ranks unbroken and steady tread, these undaunted Eng-
lish calmly retraced their steps—exhibiting one of the
most noble spectacles of war,—and occasionally punish-
ing the temerity of their pursuers with a cool and deli-
berate resolution which laid a thousand Spaniards dead
upon the field *, and impressed the enemy, and also the
Portuguese, with a sense of British courage and magna-
nimity. Thus they effected their retreat, with the loss
of only one hundred and fifty men killed and wounded,
and passed that night at Arronches.

The Firtu acquired great honour by its signal gal-
lantry on this occasion. It was afterwards encamped at
Elvas, was subsequently in position on the banks of the
Guadiana, and again passed the winter in cantonments in
the Alentejo.

The casualties of the preceding campaign having 1710
been replaced by recruits from England, the Firru again
took the field in the spring of 1710, and was employed
in the Alentejo ; but the army was weak and unequal to
any important undertaking, and the French having had
some success in the province of Tras os Montes, occa-
sioned a detachment to be sent thither. In the autumn
the army advanced across the Guadiana, and on the 4th
of October arrived at the rich plains of Xeres de los Ca-
baleros on the river Ardilla in Spanish Estremadura.
It was resolved to attack this place by storm on the fol-

* The Monthly Mercury for May, 1709.

26 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1710 lowing day, and the Firtu, Twentieth, and Thirty-ninth,
British regiments, having been selected to perform this
service under the command of Brigadier-General Stan-
wix *, advanced at four in the afternoon to attack the
works near St. Catherine’s gate by escalade: a few
minutes after the regiments had commenced the assault,
the governor sent proposals to surrender, which were
agreed to, and the garrison, consisting of 700 men, were
made prisoners of war. The army afterwards retired
to Portugal by the mountains of Orlor, and went into
quarters. This summer the army on the other side of
Spain gained two victories, and advanced to Madrid,
when the most pressing instances were made by King
Charles IIT. and General Stanhope, to induce the army
of Portugal to advance upon the Spanish capital; but
the Portuguese generals were unwilling to engage in so
great an undertaking.

1711 During the campaign of 1711, the Firru tormed part
of the army which assembled at Olivenza in May, and,
having passed the Guadiana by a pontoon bridge at Jeru-
mencha, advanced against the enemy, who took refuge
under the cannon of Badajoz. The Firtru was afterwards
engaged in the capture of several small towns, and in
levying contributions in Spanish Estremadura; but the
summer passed without any occurrence of importance,
excepting a discovery made by the Earl of Portmore,
who commanded the British troops in Portugal, of a
clandestine treaty in progress between the crown of Por-
tugal and the enemy, in which the former had agreed to
separate from the Allies; and, to give an excuse for this, a
mock battle was to have been fought, in which the British
troops were to have been sacrificed +. This treaty was

TS ROT Ma atc Se ee emt te

* London Gazette.
+ Annals of Queen Anne, Vol. 10, page 95.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 27

broken off, but the British Government soon afterwards 171]
entered into negotiations with France.

The Firt continued in Portugal, and was encamped 1712
during the summer of 1712 on the pleasant plains of the
Tarra. In the autumn a suspension of hostilities was
proclaimed at the camp by Major-General Pearce, and
the regiment went into cantonments.

From Portugal, the regiment proceeded to Gibraltar, 1713
which fortress had been captured by an English and
Dutch force in 1704, and was ceded to Great Britain in
1713 by the treaty of Utrecht, when the Earl of Portmore
was appointed Governor; and the protection of the place
was confided to the Firtu, Thirteenth, and Twentieth
regiments. Here the regiment remained in garrison for
a period of fifteen years; its establishment was 500 men,
and it became as celebrated for its excellent conduct in
time of peace, as it had been distinguished for its noble
bearing and gallantry in war.

The crown of Spain had relinquished its claim on
Gibraltar with reluctance, and having, towards the end of
1726, resolved to engage in a war with Great Britain, a
Spanish army was assembled in Andalusia under the
command of the Count de la Torres, to commence hos-
tilities with the siege of this desirable entrepdt to the
Mediterranean. This gave the Firta another opportu-
nity of signalizing itself, and of adding to its honours
already acquired,—the proud distinction of a successful
defence of this important conquest.

The preparations of the enemy were made upon a 1727
most extensive scale. Their troops were encamped
before the place in January, 1727, the bringing up of
cannon, mortars, and stores to the camp, occupied several
weeks, and the heavy artillery was removed from the
works at Cadiz and other fortified towns; at the same

98 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1727 time the whole disposable force, including part of the
garrison of almost every town in Spain, was assem-
bled to take part in the siege. The works having been
commenced in February, before any declaration of war
was made, and persisted in against the remonstrance
of the Lieutenant-Governor, Colonel Jasper Clayton,
a council of war of the commanding officers of regi-
ments was assembled, and a determined opposition
was resolved upon. On the 21st of February the gar-
rison opened its fire on the besiegers, and from that
day the strrm of war raged round the rocks of Gib-
yaltar with dreadful violence, increasing in fury until
the roar of a hundred cannon and the fire of small
arms became almost incessant in the day-time, and was
partially continued throughout the night, with the most
fatal effects to the Spaniards, whose loss was particularly
great. This contest was continued with a few partial
intermissions until many thousands of the besiegers had
perished in the attempt; while the tremendous fire of
the Spaniards had produced little effect beyond the
bursting of many of their own cannon, and the enlarging
of the touchholes of others so as to render them useless.
In the early part of June the fire slackened, and on the
18th of that month hostilities ceased. Thus the ostenta-
tious vaunts of Spain terminated in defeat and confusion.

1728 The FirtH embarked from Gibraltar on the 12th of
April, 1728, and proceeded to Ireland, in which country
it remained seven years.

1732 In September 1732, General Thomas Pearce, who
had commanded the regiment for twenty-eight years,
was removed to the Fifth Horse, now Fourth Dragoon
Guards, and was succeeded by Colonel John (afterwards
Sir John) Cope from the Thirty-ninth regiment.

1735 The regiment left Ireland in 1735, and was stationed

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 29

in England in that and the following year ; but in 1737 it 1737
again proceeded to Ireland. At the same time Colonel
Cope was removed to the Ninth Dragoons, and the Colo-
neicy of the Firta was conferred on Alexander Irwin.

A period of seventeen years was now passed by the 1738
regiment in Ireland, where it continued to retain its
high state of discipline and efficiency, and preserved
untarnished the laurels it had previously won.

After the decease of Colonel Irwin, in 1752, the 1752
command of the regiment was given to Charles White-
ford; who was succeeded on the 20th of August, 1754, 1754
by Lord George Bentinck.

In the spring of 1755, the regiment left Ireland, and 1755
was quartered in England; and in September of that
year it had the honour to receive King George II. at
Chel: ford, on his way from Harwich to London.

The © .' nent remained in the south of England 1756
during ue two succeeding years; and in 1758, another 1758
war having broken out, it formed part of an expedition
designed to effect the reduction of the maritime power
of France, and to make a diversion in favour of the
Hanoverians. It accordingly proceeded to the Isle of
Wight,—the general rendezvous,—embarked at Cowes
eight hundred and eighty-eight men strong on the 25th
of May, and its grenadier company was the first to make
good its landing on the coast of France on the evening
of the 5th of June, when seven companies of French foot,
and three troops of dragoons, were quickly dispersed. On
the 7th the army advanced in two columns;—the Firra,
taking the main road to St. Maloes, encamped in the
evening about a mile from the town, and after sunset
furnished, in common with the other regiments, a detach-
ment, which, proceeding to the harbour, set fire to the
shipping, magazines, &c., when a grand yet dreadful

30 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1758 scene of conflagration presented itself. Having destroyed

a valuable fleet and all the stores, the troops re-embarked
and returned to England.

In August of the same year, the FirtH was engaged
in a second expedition to the coast of France, when
Cherbourg ‘sas captured, and the harbour, forts, maga-
zines, anu ordnance, consisting of 173 pieces of iron
cannon and 3 mortars, were destroyed: at the same time
22 pieces of fine brass cannon, and two brass mortars,
were brought off as trophies, and sent to England; and
these guns, having been seen by King George II. in
Hyde Park on the 16th of September, were conducted
in procession through the city to the Tower of London.

The Firtu was also engaged in the descent made on
the coast of Brittany on the 4th of September, when the
batteries in the bay of St. Lunaire were destroyed, and
the troops, marching into the interior, crossed the Drou-
ette and Equernon, and advanced. to Matignon, while
the fleet proceeded to the Bay of St. Cas; thus alarming
the country with the view of producing the return of the
French army from Germany. While the Firtu was in
France, some sharp skirmishing occurred, and when the
troops re-embarked at St. Cas, the enemy attacked the
rear-guard and occasioned considerable loss. The loss
of the Firru in these three descents was ninety-five men.
Towards the end of September the regiment landed at
Cowes, and, having encamped a short period near New-
port, weat into quarters.

The decease of Lord George Bentinck having oc-
curred in 1759, Studholme Hodgson was appointed to
the Colonelcy of the Firtu, from the 50th regiment.

In the mean time the war was continued in Hanover and
the neighbouring States, and the Firtu, having been
ordered to proceed to Germany, embarked at Gravesend

SV

=

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 31

on the 12th of May, 1760, and arrived in the Weser on 1760

the 22r..' cf that month. After landing near Bremen, the
regiment marched up the country, and joined the allied
army commanded by Ferdinand Duke of Brunswick, at
Fritzlar in Hesse-Cassel, on the 17th of June; when the
grenadier company was detached to form, with the
grenadier companies of the other regiments, two Bat-
talions, which, being united in Brigade with the Scots
Highlanders, usually formed the advance-guard of the
army.

The regiment, after being employed in several ma-
noeeuvres, formed part of the corps commanded by the
hereditary Prince of Brunswick, which marched on the

10th of July to take post on the heights of Corbach ; but.

found the ground occupied by the enemy in force; when
a sharp skirmish occurred in which the Firtu lost five
men.*

Towards the end of July the regiment was encamped
at Kalle. At 11 o’clock on the night of the 30th of that
month it marched with the main army for Liebenau, and,
having crossed the Dymel, advanced at five on the follow-
ing morning to attack the enemy in his position on the
heights of Warbourg.

The German corps and British grenadiers in advance
having commenced the action, the French retired before
the English infantry arrived. “ No troops could show
“* more eagerness than they showed. Many of the men,
“from the heat of the weather, and overstraining them-
‘* selves to get on through morasses and difficult ground,
‘«« suddenly dropped down on their march.}” The gre-
nadier company of the Firtu, being in the column which

* London Gazette.
+ The Marquis of Granby’s Despatch.

32 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1760 commenced the attack, highly distinguished itself *, and
had four men killed, and Captain Ross, Lieutenant
Baker, and twenty-six men, wounded. .

The regiment remained for some time encamped near
Warbourg ; and the grenadier company, being encamped
on the heights of Wilda, was engaged, on the night of
the 5th of September, in surprising a French fore in the
town of Zierenberg, which service was performed with
distinguished gallantry and suecess. The grenadiers
were afterwards detached to the Lower Rhine, and were
engaged in the attempt to surprise the enemy’s camp at
Rheinberg on the morning of the 16th of October, when
a sharp action was fought at the Convent of Campen, in
which the company of the Firtu lost several men In
December the regiment left the camp at Warbourg, and
went into cantonments in the villages on the bank of the
Weser.

1761 In February, 1761, it again advanced, and, having
erossed the Dymel, proceeded through a deep snow into
Hesse-Cassel, where it had great success in several
actions with the enemy; but returned to its former quar-
ters in March.

The regiment again took the field in June, forming
part of the Marquis of Granby’s corps, and, after some
manceuvring and skirmishing, it was encamped upon the
heights in front of Kirch-Denkern in the bishopric of
Paderborn. This post was attacked on the 15th of July,
and was defended by the British troops with admirable
firmness and resolution, and eventually the enemy was
driven back with great loss. The attack was renewed
by the enemy on the following morning with great fury,

* “The Brigade formed of the English Grenadiers and Scotch
“‘ Highlanders greatly distinguished itself, performing wonders.”
— Operations of the Allied Army, page 161.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 33

when the Ftrra displayed its usual spirit and determi-
nation in the defence of its post; and, after five hours’
sharp fighting, some disorder appearing in the enemy’s
ranks, the regiment advanced to the charge and routed
the enemy ; at the same time the grenadier battalion, of
which the company of the Firrn formed a part, took
prisoners the regiment of Rouge (formerly Belsunce)
with its cannon and colours. The Fist lost in this
action, Lieutenant Lillewood, 2 serjeants, and 9 men
killed; also two officers, 5 serjeants, and 12 men
wounded.

The reziment remained at its post near Kirch-Den-
kern until the 27th of July; it was afterwards employed
in manoeuvring and skirmishing in various parts of the
bishopric of Paderborn and on the river Weser, and in
September, it was employed in a diversion in the country
of Hesse. It was engaged, on the 5th of November, in
forcing the enemy’s post at Capelnhagen, and on the 6th
and 7th it took part in slight skirmishes at Exmbeck in the
Electorate of Hanover. The grenadier company of the
FirtH was also engaged in a skirmish at Foorwohle on
the 7th of November, and again on the 10th of that
month, when the combatants were kuee deep in snow.
On the 12th the regiment encamped on the banks of the
Huve near Eimbeck, from whence it proceeded in the
early part of December into cantonments in the bishop-
ric of Osnaburg.

Having passed the winter amongst the rude peasantry 1762
of Osnaburg, the regiment again took the field, and
joined the camp on the heights near Blumberg on the
4th of June 1762, from whence it proceeded to Corbeke.

The enemy took post at Groebenstien, and Prince
Ferdinand formed a design of surprising them in their
camp. For this purpose the army was formed into seve-

D

34 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1762 ral columns. The Firtu forming part of the centre
column, left its camp before daylight on the morning of
the 24th of June, and crossed the Dymel at Liebenau
at four o’clock ; then, advancing a distance of nine miles
through a rugged and woody country, arrived in front of

the enemy’s camp, and commenced a sharp fire. The
French, surprised and confounded, abandoned their
camp, leaving their tents standing, and commenced their
retreat: at the same time General Stainville threw him-
self with his division into the woods of Wilhelmsthal to
favour the movement. Against this division, the right
column of the allies, commanded by the Marquis of
Granby, and the centre column under Prince Ferdi-
nand, immediately advanced.

The Firtu, commanded by Lieutant-Colonel Thomas
Marlay, taking the lead of the centre column, threw
itself into the wood, and opened its fire with good effect;
at the same time the Marquis of Granby’s column at-
tacked the enemy’s rear. The French made a spirited
resistance; but the Firru pressed forward with a con-
quering violence which overcame all opposition, while
the main body followed in full career, and the Marquis
of Granby intercepting the enemy’s retreat captured
many prisoners; when the remainder of the French
division (excepting two battalions that escaped) after
one fire, surrendered to the Firru*. After the French

* “The Firra Foot behaved nobly, and took above twice its
“own numbers prisoners.”—Letter from an Officer of the Ar-
tillery.

‘‘Prince Ferdinand pursued and pressed upon them as close
“as possible: and they would, without doubt, have been en-
“tirely routed, if M. de Stainville had not thrown himself,
“ with the Grenadiers of France, the Royal Grenadiers, the regi-
“ment of Aquitaine, and other corps, being the flower of the
“ French infantry, into the woods of Wilhelmstahl to cover their

“ retreat

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 35

had surrendered, an officer of the Firtu regiment, who 1762
went up to receive their colours from their standard-
bearer, was shot dead upon the spot by a French ser-
jeant who was standing near. This circumstance might
have led to much bloodshed, but, fortunately, little
confusion resulted; the serjeant was instantly put to
‘death, and the colours were quietly taken posses-
sion of*. The loss of the regiment was Lieutenant
Robinson, killed; and 1 serjeant, and 11 men wounded ;

“retreat. That resolution cost him dear; his whole infantry
*‘ having been taken, killed, or dispersed, after a very gallant
“defence, excepting two battalions which found means to get
“off; some of these troops had before surrendered to Lord
“‘ Granby’s corps, and upon the coming up of the army, the re-
“ mainder, ‘after one fire, surrendered to the Firrn regiment of
“ Foot.”—London Gazette.

** Return of Prisoners taken in the action at Groebenstien, and
in the woods of Wilhelmsthal, on the 24th June 1762.

Corps. er of

Grenadiers of France : ; 3 635
Royal Grenadiers. Rochelambert : : ; 208

L’Espinasse . ‘ : 135

Le Camus , : ' 121

Narbonne. : ' . 60
Aquitaine ; i ; . ‘ : 432
Poictou : : , , ; . 29
Royal Deux-Ponts . ; ‘ . , 30
Waldner ; : : ‘ ; . 108
D’Epring ; ‘ : : : : 55
Choiseul,—Dragoons ‘ ; : ; - 64
Royal Picardy,—Cavalry ‘ : ; : 30
Fitz-James’,—Cavalry . : . . 7
Chamboran ‘ ‘ : : ‘ 28
Monnet . ; , : é : . 12
Of different corps. : ‘ . ‘ 446

2570
Officers ... 162

Total . . 2732
Also one standard, six pair of colours, and two pieces of can-
non, were taken.— Operations of the Allied Army.
p 2

36 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1762 also six men taken prisoners in the skirmish at the com-
mencement of the action. Its conduct on this occasion
excited much admiration ;—as a mark of distinction the
men were permitted to exchange their hats for the
French grenadier caps ; and the regiment for many years
afterwards, wore a fusilier’s cap instead of the hat then
used by the infantry of the line. In commemoration of
the gallantry displayed by the Firry Regiment on this
occasion, his Majesty King William IV. was graciously
pleased, in 1836, to authorize the regiment to bear the
word ‘ WILHELMSTHAL’ on its Colours and Appointments.

After the action the Firra encamped on the heights
of Wilhelmsthal; it was subsequently employed in
several operations; and on the 23rd of July, the gre-
nadier company was engaged in a gallant affair at
Lutterberg, when the Saxons under Prince Xavier were
driven from their post and thirteen pieces of ordnance were
captured. On the 24th of the same month one hundred
men of the regiment were engaged with other corps in
dislodging a detachment of the enemy from the heights
of Homburg. The regiment was subsequently em-
ployed in operations on the Ohm, and the Lahn, and in
several skirmishes in which it lost many men. It also
formed part of the covering army during the siege of
Cassel, which was terminated by the surrender of the
place on the Ist of November. Shortly afterwards a
suspension of hostilities took place ; which was followed
by a treaty of peace, concluded at Fontainbleau, and the
regiment was ordered to return to England.

1763 It accordingly marched from Germany, through
Holland, to Williamstadt, where it embarked on the
22nd of February, 1763*, and landed in England in the

* According to the embarkation return the strength of the
regiment when it quitted Germany was, 27 officers, 692 men, 54
women, and 67 horses.

sso hs ee

Set

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 37

early part of the following month. In May of the same 1763
year it proceeded to Bristol and embarked for Ireland,
where it arrived on the 2nd of June, and landed at
Passage near Waterford.
The regiment passed the next ten years in Ireland, 1764
and was so remarkable for its cleanliness and attention
to dress and appointments, that the men were usually Dae
called «The Shiners.” an
Early in the year 1767 a system of honorary distinc- 1767 ii
tions for long-continued good benaviour was introduced
into this regiment, which was found to stimulate the
indifferent to good conduct, and those already worthy,
to perseverance in well-doing, and it produced such a
body of non-commissioned officers as few corps could
boast of. These distinctions consisted of three classes of
medals * to be worn, suspended by a ribbon, at a button-
hole of the left lappel; the first, or lowest class, which
was bestowed on such as had served irreproachably for
seven years, was of gilt metal, bearing on one side the
badge of the regiment, St. George and the Dragon +:

* A full account of these medals is given in a work published
in America by General Donkin in 1777.

‘+ How the badge of St. George and the Dragon with the motto
“* Quo fata vocant’’ above mentioned, were first acquired by the regi-
ment, has not been ascertained. There is «tradition in the corps a
that they were conferred as an honorary dis:inction for gallant con- :
duct either in the German war or that of the Spanish succession ;
but it is probable they might have been assumed when the regi- 4
ment in 1675 was given to Colonel John Fenwick, and became i i
English. A portrait of Major Bernardi (who was an Ensign in this
corps at its formation in 1674, and rose to the rank of Captain in
it) prefixed to his Memoirs published in 1729, is surmounted by
the motto “Quo futa trahunt,” evidently a metamorphosis of, and
borrowed from the “ Quo fata vocant” of the regiment. The Royal
Warrants of the Ist of July, 1751, and 19th, of December, 1768,
while they recognise and confirm the badge, are silent respecting
the motto; an omission, however, not confined to the Firrn
Regiment

1767 with the motto “ Quo fata vocant ;”’ and on the reverse,

38 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

“Vth Foot, merit.” The second was of silver, bearing
on one side the badge and motto, and on the other,
Reward of fourteen years’ military merit.” The third
was similar to the second, but was inscribed with the
name of the individual whose conduct had earned it:
“ A. B., for twenty-one years’ good and faithful service
“as a soldier, had received from his commanding officers

‘ “ this honourable testimony of his merit.” These medals

1768

were bestowed only upon soldiers who, for the respective
periods of seven, fourteen, or twenty-one years, had never
incurred the censure of a court-martial : they were given
by the commanding officer at the head of the assembled
battalion; and if, which rarely happened, the owner of a
medal subsequently forfeited his pretensions to enrol-
ment among the men of merit, his medal was cut from
his breast by the drum-major as publicly as he had
been invested with it. ‘Those who obtained the third, or
twenty-one years’ medal, had also an oval badge of the
colour of the facings on the right breast, embroidered
round with gold and silver wreaths, and inscribed in the
centre with the word “ Merir” in letters of gold.

On the 7th of November, 1768, Lieutenant-General
Hodgson was succeeded in the Colonelcy of the Firra by
Hugh, Earl Percy, afterwards Duke of Northumberland.
Earl Percy, when Colonel, duly estimating the good

Regiment only, for the warrants do not notice the motto of any
one infantry regiment, though others (the Royal Scots for
instance,) must have had mottoes. It will be seen in the text
that the motto surmounted the badge on the medal of merit, one
of which from the original die with the date 10th of March, 1767,
is now (1837) in possession of Colonel Sutherland, command-
ing the regiment. This motto and badge has for many years
been borne on the officers’ and men’s appointments, and there
is no doubt but they form one whole, and are coeval with each
other.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 39

effects produced by this Regimental “Order of Merit,” 1768
kept it up with all the liberality and dignity it deserved ;
and the following order, issued by him on the subject, is
referred to in Adye’s Essay on Rewards and Punishments,
viz.: ‘ Karl Percy having perceived, with great pleasure,
‘the happy effects of the regimental Medals of Merit,
‘ influencing the non-commissioned officers and soldiers
‘of the Firru to deserve the favour of their officers, and
‘‘ being anxious, as far as may be in his power, to en-
“courage them to persevere in such sentiments of
“honour, is determined, for the future, to give them
** out every year, a short time before the review, ins! ead
“of the usual day, as it often has happened that the
‘regiment has been separated, which prevented the
“men, who were entitled to that mark of honour, from
“receiving it in so public a manner as his Lordship
“« could wish.”

During the stay of the Firra in Ireland it was fre-
quently engaged in the service of the revenue ; and also
in suppressing the outrageous proceedings of bands of
armed peasantry called Whiteboys, Hearts of Steel, and
Hearts of Oak, and particularly against the latter in
1772, at and near Guildford in the north, where the
house of Richard Johnson, Esquire, was attacked and
reduced to ashes, and a clergyman, the Rev. Mr.
Meroll, was barbarously murdered by these misguided
insurgents.

The regiment remained in Ireland until the wutortu- 1774
nate misunderstanding between Great Britain and her

North American Colonies assumed an aspect so formid-
able, that it was deemed necessary to send additional
forces to that country. The FirtH was one of the corps
selected to proceed on this service; and, having em-
barked at Monkstown near Cork on the 7th of May,

40 . THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1774 1774, it landed in the beginning of July at Boston, the
capital of the state of Massachusetts, which had recently
been the scene of violence and outrage, particularly of
the destruction of an immense consignment of Tea by
the provincials. After landing, the regiment was en-
camped near the town for some time ; a body of troops
was assembled at this place under the Governor of the
province, General Gage, and several fortifications were
constructed.

1775 During the winter a determination to proceed to open
resistance became general in the American States; they
embodied a militia force, and in April 1775, a circum-
stance occurred which occasioned the display of these
hostile designs. The occasion was the collection of some
military stores at Concord, in Middlesex county, about
eighteen miles from Boston ; when General Gage sent
the grenadiers and light infantry, including the com-
panies of the Firru, under the orders of Colonel Smith,
to destroy those stores. This detachment embarked in
boats on the evening of the 18th of April, and, having
proceeded a short distance up Charles river, landed on
the marshes of Cambridge and proceeded to the village
of Lexington, where it arrived at day-break and found a
company of the militia formed up near the entrance of
the town. These men were ordered to lay down their
arms, but they did not comply; some desultory firing
immediately occurred, which was followed by a volley
from the troops which laid ten of the militia dead upon
the spot, wounded several others, and dispersed the
remainder: thus was the first blocd drawn in this un-
happy contest. After this skirmish, the troops continued

their march to Concord, detaching six Light Infantry
companies to take possession of the bridges beyond the
town, while the remainder of the detachment effected

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 4l

the destruction of the military stores. In the mean 1775

time the country had been alarmed by the firing of
guns and the ringing of bells: and a ‘division of pro-
vincial militia was seen advancing towards the bridges,
but they avoided committing any hostile act until the
light infantry companies had killed two men, when
the Americans instantly opened a sharp fire, and by their
superior numbers forced the King’s troops to retire.
The country now appeared swarming with armed men,
who fired on the troops on all sides, while numbers
followed in their rear, and during the six miles’ march
from Concord to Lexington, skirmish succeeded skirmish,
and a continued but irregular fire was sustained until the
detachment had expended nearly all its ammunition,
Fortunately it was met at Lexington by Earl Percy
(Colonel of the FirtH), who had been sent forward to
support the detachment with his brigade and two pieces
of artillery, and his lordship after a short halt made
dispositions for continuing the march to Boston*. But
the moment the troops were in motion the attacks
became more frequent and more violent than before, the
Americans hovering in hundreds upon the rear and
keeping up a sharp fire from houses, from behind walls,
trees, and other coverts, on both sides of the road; yet
the troops, displaying a steady and noble bearing, united
with a high state of discipline and undaunted spirit,
marched under all these difficulties, in perfect order, a
distance of fifteen miles to Charlestown, where they
arrived at sunset, quite exhausted from a march of

* “Lord Percy now formed his detachment into a square, in
‘* which he enclosed Colonel Smith’s party, who were so much
“exhausted with fatigue that they were obliged to lie down for
“rest on the ground, their tongues hanging out of their mouths
“like those of dogs aftera chase.’—Stedman’s History of the
American War.

a aa

———
ane 3 grade Caen

ae

oer

Syste ty

42 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1775 about thirty-five miles, on a hot day, and experiencing
the extraordinary fatigues already mentioned. From
Charlestown the troops crossed the river by the ferry to
Boston, under cover of the fire of the men-of-war. 'The
loss of the Firtu, in this day’s skirmishes, was five men
killed ; with Lieutenant Thomas Baker, Lieutenant Wil-
liam Cox, Lieutenant Thomas Hawkshaw, and fifteen
men wounded ; also one man taken prisoner*.

This affair was followed by the appearance of the
whole province in arms;—an immense number of men
invested Boston, where the King’s troops were stationed,
on the land side; and on the morning of the 17th of
June, it was ascertained that they had constructed works
on Bunker's Hill—a high ground beyond the river. A
body of troops, of which the Firra formed a part, was
ordered to attack the heights; and this force, having
embarked about noon, landed without opposition and
formed up on some high ground near the shore. The
enemy appearing resolved to defend this post, the ships
of war opened their fire upon the works, while the King’s
troops, advancing under cover of the guns, went boldly to
the attack; and commenced one of the most suiguinary
actions on record. The Firrn, ever emulous of glory,
was seen ascending the hill on the side next Charles-
town with signal intrepidity, and bravely sustaining its
ancient reputation. Captain Harris (afterwards the
conqueror of the Mysore) while leading on the grenadier
company, was severely wounded, and obliged to quit the
field, but he had in Lieutenant Lord Rawdon (afterwards
Marquis of Hastings) a successor in command, who emu-
lated and equalled the intrepidity of his disabled captain.
Eventually the troops were staggered by the resolute
tenacity of the defence, and the superior numbers of the

* London Gazette.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 43

enemy ; yet, recovering, they appeared in a moment fired 1775

by a new ardour, and with fixed bayonets they went
cheering forward with determined bravery and resolution,
—encountering the Americans in close combat and driv-
ing them, after a sharp contest, out of the works. The
King’s troops were now established on Bunker’s Hill,
which they afterwards fortified and occupied in force.
The loss of the Firta was 22 men killed; Captain
Harris, Captain Jackson, Captain Downes, Captain
Marsden, Lieutenant M<Clintock, Lieutenant Croker,
Ensign Charleton, Ensign Ballaguire, 10 Serjeants, 2
Drummers, and 116 rank and file wounded*. General
Burgoyne, in a letter written at the time to Lord Derby
and subsequently published, says, in reference to
Bunker’s Hill, “The Firtu has behaved the best,
“ and suffered the most f.””

Notwithstanding this success, the army at Boston
remained in a state of blockade, and the troops were
eventually so distressed for fresh provisions and other
necessaries, that live cattle, vegetables, and even fuel,
were sent for their use from England. The shipping
with these supplies were, however, many of them
wrecked, or fell into the hands of the Americans, and,

* London Gazette.

+ “Tf any thing had been wanting to show the bravery and
“ discipline of the British troops, the action at Bunker's Hill
“ furnished an ample proof of both. Twice they were stopped
“and twice they returned to the charge. In the middle of a hot
“ summer's day; encumbered with three days’ provisions, their
“ knapsacks on their backs, which, together with cartouch-box,
‘ammunition, and firelock, may be estimated at 125lbs; with a
“steep hill to ascend, covered with grass reaching to their knees,
“and intersected with walls and fences of various enclosures ;
‘‘and in the face of a hot and well-directed fire,—they gained
“a complete victory over three times their own numbers.”—
Stedman.

seh POR

lia agg tan

Stas

fi Es

ss meg nee oe

Sag Peo sg RE Tad

aaa
5
eee

44 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1775 iue distress of the troops increasing, much sickness and
loss of life occurred.

In the midst of this calamity, the provincial troops,
being better supplied with necessaries, began to act
offensively with vigour, and the appearance of new
batteries with the opening of a heavy cannonade, occa-
sioned the King’s troops to evacuate the place. Ac-
cordingly, in the middle of March, 1776, the army eim-

1746 barked from Boston, and proceeded to Halifax in Nova
Scotia, but after their arrival at that place the greater
part of the troops remained on ship board, the town not
being capable of providing quarters, nor of affording a
sufficient supply of provisions.

The FirtH remained at Halifax about two months,
and leaving that place early in June to engage in an
extensive plan of operations, formed part of the force
which effected a landing on Staten Island near New
York on the 3rd of July. In the foliewing month a
reinforcement of British and Hessian troops arrived, and
on the 22nd of August a descent was made on the south-
west end of Long Island, when the enemy’s detach-
ments along the coast withdrew to the range of woody
hills which intersect the country from east to west. In
the manceuvres by which these hills were passed, and in
the defeat of the provincial corps on the 27th of August,
the Firtu took an active and spirited part, but did not
sustain any loss. After this success, preparations were
made to attack the enemy’s lines at Brookiyn ; but the
Americans, impressed with a sense of the superiority of
the King’s troops, quitted their post during the night of
the 28th, and passed the troops in boats across the East
River to New York.

The reduction of Long Island having thus been
effected with trifling loss, the Firru was again em-

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 45

barked, and a landing was made on the 15th of Septem- 1776 ®
ber, on New York Island, within a few miles of the
city; which General Washington immediately aban-
doned, and. retired towards the northern end of the
island, designing to remain on the defensive, and to
avoid a general engagement. The Firtu was subse-
quently employed in several operations, and on the 28th
of October, being on the march towards the American
camp at White Plains, it was engaged, with the 28th
35th and 49th regiments, commanded by Brigadier-
General Leslie, in forcing the passage of the Brunx’s
rivulet under a sharp fire, and having ascended the hill
with admirable intrepidity, attacked and routed a divi-
sion of Americans, chasing them from behind walls and
other coverts, and driving them behind their entrench-
ments at the entrance of White Plains: from whence
they subsequently retreated. The regiment only lost
two men. on this occasion, and had its commanding
officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Walcott, wounded.

At length, it being found impossible to bring on a
general engagement, the army retired by the North
River, to the heights of Fordham; and on the 16th of
November, the FirrH supported the storming party in
the capture of Fort Washingto::. A few days after-
wards the regiment was detached across the North River
against Fort Lee, and on the flight of the American
troops, it was stationed a short time at English Neigh-
bourhood: but was soon called upon to take an active
part in the reduction of New Jersey; and in the early:
part of January, 1777, it was quartered at Maidenhead. 1777

The Firtu passed the remainder oi the winter in the
island of Jersey. ‘The weather was particularly s¢ vere ;

“ the duty unremitting and hard; the enemy watchful ; o
“‘ and provisions and forage were not obtained without

4G THE FIFTH RYGIMENT OF FOOT,

1777 ‘‘ repeated skirmishes. Nevertheless the soldiers en-
“‘dured these hardships with a fortitude and a perse-
“ verance that acquired them infinite honour *.” ‘The
campaign being opened in the early part of June, 1777,
the regiment took part in several manceuvres, designed
to bring on a general engagement, but the enemy kept
in the mountain fastnesses, by which he succeeded ia
defeating the designs of the British commander; and on
the 30th of June the troops embarked from the Jerseys
and proceeded to Staten Island.

An expedition to Pennsylvania having been resolved
on, the Fiera formed part of the force ordered for this
service, and, having embarked at Sandy Hock on the
Sth July, sailed to Chesapeak Bay, thence proceeding
up the Elk River, Janded at Elk Ferry on the 25th of
August, and afterwards adyanced on Philadelphia: at
the same time the enemy took up a position at Brandy-
wine Creek, to oppose the advance. But on the 11th
of September the enemy's out-posts were driven in and
the position attacked. The Firtth formed part of the
force, which advanced to Chad’s Ford in the centre of
the enemy’s line, forced the passage in gallant style,
carried the batteries and intrenchments with fixed
bayonets, and captured five pieces of cannon and a
howitzer. The regiment encamped during the night on
the scene of conflict; its only casualties being Ensign

Andrews, | serjeant, and 12 men wounded.

This success was foliowed by the capture of Phila-
delphia: at the same time the army occupied a position
near Germantown, and the Firtu had its post in the right
wing of the iine. The troops at the head of the town

were attacked by the enemy in force at daybreak on

* Stedman.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

47

the morning of the 4th of October, when the Firtu was 1777

ordered forward to their aid. The enemy had already
gained some advantage, and the Fortieth regiment, which
had thrown itself into a stone building, was surrounded
by an American brigade, when the Firra and Fifty-fifth
regiments, advancing from the right, opened their fire
with good effect, and being seconded by several other
corps from the centre and left, drove back the enemy and
pursued them through some woody grounds and strong
enclosures with signal bravery. The Firru lost on this
occasion, 1 drummer and 9 men killed; also Lieutenant-
Colonel Walcott, Captain Charlton, Ensign Thomas,
Ensign Stuart, 5 serjeants, and 37 men wounded: Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Walcott died of his wounds six wecks
afterwards.

On the 18th of October the army quitted Germantown
and encamped in the immediate vicinity of Philadelphia,
until after the capture of two forts on the river. In the
mean time the enemy formed a strong camp at White
Marsh, fourteen miles from Philadelphia; and in the
early part of December the Firtx took part in several
operations and skirmishes designed to bring on a general
engagement; but the enemy remaining behind his
trenches and abbatis de bois, the regiment returned to
Philadelphia on the 8th of that month. After the retreat
of the King’s troops, the enemy removed to Valley
Forge, where he built liuts and passed the winter in the
woods, while the British lay in comfortable quarters in
the capital of Pennsylvania, where the want of strict dis-
cipline during the period of a temporary repose produced
several evil consequences particularly the estrangement
of many p°rsons previously in the interest of the royal
cause.

Before the commencement of ac‘ive operations in 17478
Pp

48 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1778 1778, the King of France had concluded a treaty with,
and agreed to aid, the Americans, which so completely
changed the nature of the contest, that the evacuation of
Philadelphia was resolved upon, and the FirtH had to
take part in the difficult service of retreating through a
wild and woody country intersected by rivers, and
abounding in narrow and rugged passes. The army
accordingly crossed the Delawar on the 18th of June,
and directing its march along the eastern bank of that
river, afterwards proceeded through the Jerseys, while
the enemy hovered near the rear and menaced an attack
in force. No action of importance, however, occurred
until the 28th of June, when, as the last division de-
scended from the heights above Freehold in New Jersey,
the enemy appeared in the rear, and on both flanks, and
some sharp fighting took place. At this time the Firru
was in advance, but it was recalled to take part in the
action, and the enemy was eventually repulsed. ‘The
regiment had Captain Gore of the grenadier company
and several men killed on this occasion.

After the action the army continued its march, and
having crossed the channel to Sandy Hook, in the be-
ginning of July, embarked from thence for New York ;
from whence the FirtH advanced to a post beyond the
town.

In September, part of the regiment was detached on
an expedition to Little Egg Harbour in New Jersey—
a noted rendezyous for privateers. This detachment,
consisting of 300 men of the Firta and New Jersey
Volunteers, commanded by Captain Ferguson, embarked
in transports towards the end of September, and, on
arriving at the harbour, went on board small vessels

which, with several row-galleys, proceeded twenty miles
up the river, to Chesnut Neck, where the troops landed

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 49

h, under cover of the fire from the galleys, and by a spirited 1778
ly attack, routed the enemy’s force assembled to oppose the
of descent, and chased them into the woods. After return-
to ing from the pursuit, the troops destroyed the village,
a with several storehouses, and armed vessels :—-having
nd only sustained the trifling loss of one man of the Firtu,
ny wounded. A night excursion was afterwards made ten
1e, miles farther up the river, when the troops, surprising
at some companies of the enemy in their quarters, made a
ile dreadful slaughter with the bayonet, and reduced the
ck houses to ashes, with the loss of only two men of the
ed Firtu killed, and two wounded. ‘“ It is but justice to
le- inform you,” observes the commanding officer in his de-
ey, spatch, “that the officers and men, both British and
nd “ Provincials, behaved on this occasion in a manner to
TH “do themselves honour. To the conduct and spirit of
the “ Captain Cox, Lieutenant Littleton, and Ensign Cotter,
‘he ‘of the FirrH regiment, and of Captain Peter Camp-
ny “bell of the Third Jersey Volunteers, this little enter-

‘ prise owes much of its success *.”
nd Immediately after the return of this detachment, the
he- regiment was ordered to form part of an expedition
k; against the French West India Islands, and embarking
he on this service under the command of its Lieutenant-Co-

lonel (afterwards Sir William) Medows, sailed from
on Sandy Hook on the 3rd of November.
ie After stopping two days at Barbadoes, during which
nt, time the land and sea commanders, General James
bey Grant and Admiral Barrington arranged their plans of
ed attack, the expedition arrived at S¢. Lucie on the 13th of
on December, and the reserve, consisting of the Firru
ole j regiment, the grenadiers and light infantry being im-
les | mediately landed under the command of Brigadier-
led —__________--- veneer =

1 * London Gazette.
E
, MPT Ae EE

50 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1778 General Medows, forced some heights occupied by a
French force under the governor, the Chevalier de
Micoud, and took a field-piece and a four-gun battery.
On the following morning, the rest of the army being
landed, the Firte aiiyan.od and took possession of the
town of Morne Fortune, the governor’s house, hospital
and barracks ; and from thence, after a short halt, pro-
ceeded to occupy an important post, called La Vigie,
situated on a tongue of land commanding the north side
of the Carenage harbour, and s eparaied by that harbour
from the rest of the army. In the mean time, the
French fleet under Count D’Estaing arrived off the island,
and ‘lisembarked a force of nine thousand men, by the
whoie of which General Medows’ little band was at-
tacked on the 18th. The enemy, commanded by MM.
de Bouillé and Lavendahl, advanced in three columns ;
their first two attacks were made, to use the words of
General Grant’s despatch, “ with the impetuosity of
«« Frenchmen, and repulsed with the determined bravery
“ of Britons.” They made a third attempt, but were
soon broken, and they retired in confusion.

The conduct of the Firru regiment and its Lieutenant
Colonel on this occasion, was of the most distinguished
description. Brigadier-General Medows, though severely
wounded in the right arm early in the day, would not
quit his post, but continued in the field, riding about and
giving orders, till the attack was over. At one moment,
finding his ammunition nearly expended, he drew up his
little phalanx in front of their colours, and waving his
sword in his hand, emphatically exclaimed, “ Soldiers,
“as long as you have a ba: onet to point against an
“enemy’s breast, defend the: colours.” They did so,
and secured the conquest of St. Lucie. It was in this
action that the Firru by its gallant conduct acquired the

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS., 51

privilege of wearing a White Plume in the cap instead of 1778
the red and white tuft worn by the other regiments of
the line ; having taken from the bodies of the slain French
grenadiers, the advance and élite of the enemy's force,
as many white feathers as sufficed to equip every man in
the regiment with the new decoration. The loss of the
French amounted to about four hundred killed and
eleven hundred wounded, while the killed on tie side of
the British was only ten, and one hundred and thirty
wounded ; amongst whom were Lieutenants Pratt and
Harris. The sense General Grant entertained of the
services of Brigadier-General Medows and _ the detach-
ment under his command, was expressed in the following
letter, dated from Morne Fortune, the 19th of December,
1778 :

“« Sir,
‘‘T cannot express how much I feel obliged to you,

“and the troops under your command, for repulsing,
‘‘with so much spirit and bravery, so great a body of
“the enemy, and own it was just what I expected from
‘you and them; and I am sure, under your command,
‘they will always behave in such a manner as to do
“ honour to you, themselves, their king, and their coun-
«try; and [ must beg of you to express my gratitude.”

During the year 1779, the regiment was sometimes 1779
embarked on board ship, and at others employed on
shore at St. Lucie and Antigua, and was engaged with
the enemy on the 19th of June, 6th of July, and 7th and
8th of September. From January to July, 1780, it was 1780
occasionally in Gros Isle Bay, St. Lucie, at Martinique,
St. Kitt’s, and Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes, and was engaged
on the 17th of April, and on the 15th of May. It was
then ordered home, and after a boisterous passage,
landed on the 16th of September at Portsmouth, from

E2

Hy) THK FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1780 whence it embarked again for Ireland in December, and
arrived at Cork in January, 1781.

1781 ‘Towards the end of 1781, a detachment was employed
at the mouth of the Shannon, in protecting a foreign
vessel, stranded on the coast, from plunder by the
natives. The regiment was afterwards quartered at
Kilkenny, where its conduct was such that, on its being
ordered to a different part ofthe country, the inhabitants
petitioned the Government successfully for its return; at
Limerick also, and several other places, its soldier-like
and orderly behaviour received the official thanks of the
civil authorities. With the volunteers of Ireland, at that
time in the height of their popularity and the hey-
day of their zeal, the FirrH was on the best footing ;
whenever it marched through any town, the volunteers
turned out to receive it with all due honours, and so great
was their respect for the regiment and confidence in its
then commander, Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Lord)
Harris, who had served in the corps from the rank of
Ensign upwards, that when, on the report of an intended

1782 landing of the French near Cork, the Firrn was
marched to Youghal, several volunteer corps offered to
join it in case a landing was effected by the enemy.

1783 In March, 1783, the regiment was marched from
Kilkenny to Dublin, and at the first installation of the
newly-founded order of St. Patrick, its grenadier com-
pany furnished the guard of honour at the Cathedral.
A detachment was about the same time sent, under the
command of Major Battier, to Carlow, in support of the
fencibles, who had been insulted by the volunteers at
Kilkenny.

1784 In 1784, the regiment lost a distinguished leader, a

powerful patron, and an attached and sincere friend, by
the promotion of Earl Percy to the Colonelcy of the

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, 53

second troop of Horse Grenadier Guards. The Firtn 1784
had been his first command; he had held that command

for sixteen years, including the whole of the American

war of independence, and in compliment to him, the
regiment had received the denomination, which it still
retains, of the ‘* NorTHUMBERLAND” Regiment. He
took leave of his old comrades in the following very com-
plimentary and affectionate letter :—

Alnwick, Nov. 5, 1784.
Sir,
‘His Majesty having been pleased to appoint me
Colonel of the Second Troop of Horse Grenadier
Guards, in succession to His Royal Highness Prince
Frederick, I take the earliest opportunity of acquaint-
ing you with it: and although this new appointment
“is a very flattering mark of His Majesty’s approbation
‘of my services, yet I cannot help feeling the greatest
regret at quitting the Firtu regiment of Foot, which I
have had the pleasure of commanding for sixteen
years with great satisfaction to myself, and, I trust,

with some advantage to the corps. The very uncom-

mon attention which I have always met with, both from
the officers and men of the Firru, will ever be remem-
bered by me with the greatest pleasure; and however
‘changed my situation may be with respect to them,
my regard, esteem, and affection for them will ever
continue the same, and I shall always be happy in
having an opportunity of convincing them of it.
“] am, with the greatest regard,
“ Yours most sincerely,
(Signed) « PERcy.
« Officer commanding Firtu Foot.”

54 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1784 Earl Percy was succeeded by Major-General the Ho-

nourable Edward Stopford, Lieutenant-Colonel of the
Sixty-sixth Foot, whose commission as Colonel of the
Firtn is dated Ist November, 1784.

1785 The colours of the Firtu being worn out by time and

numerous honourable perforations received in action, a
new set was presented to it with the usual solemnities,
on St. George’s day, 1785, in the parish church of Bel-
fast, where the regiment was then stationed. In the
evening the men dined sumptuously in the barrack-yard
by companies, at the expense of their lately promoted
Colonel, Earl Percy. In the same year, the assistance
rendered by the Firrn on the occasion of a great fire
which broke out in Belfast. called forth the public thanks
of the corporation and inhabitants.

The FirtH remained in Ireland, earning, by its
discipline and conduct, the repeated commendations of
the several general officers by whom it was commanded
or reviewed, till May the 24th, 1787, when it embarked
at Monkstown, near Cork, for Canada, and after a voyage
of two months, touching by the way at Newfoundland,
arrived at Quebec on the 26th of July.

After a’ short stay at the capital of Lower Canada,
the regiment was encamped on the heights above Sil-
leri, and after being reviewed there on the 29th of
August, 1787, by his Royal Highness Prince William
Henry (afterwards King William IV.), was embarked at
Wolfe’s Cove on the 6th of September, in batteaux, for
the interior, where it remained for nine years.

From June, 1790, to the same month in 1792, it was
quartered at Detroit, on the Straits of St. Clair, above
Lake Erie, in Upper Canada. While the regiment was
at this station, under the command of Lieutenant-Co-

C
(
J
k

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 59

lonel Smith*; the first aggression was made by the
troops of the United States on the Indian territory ;
and his humane interference and exertions rescued
many Americans from the Indians, into whose hands
they had fallen, for which he received the thanks of the
President.

From Detroit the regiment moved, in June, 1792,
down to Niagara, where it was reviewed by his Royal
Highness the Duke of Kent and Major-General Sim-
coe, who made a highly favourable report of it to the
Commander-in-Chief, declaring it to be “ most fit for
“ actual service.’ From Niagara, Lieutenant Sheaffe +
of the Firru, was detached to coast the shore of Lake
Ontario, and protest against the settlements made by the
Americans at Sodius, and other places, during the sus-
pended execution of the first American treaty.

General Stopford died in 1794, and was succeeded in
the Colonelcy of the Firru, by Sir Alured Clarke,
G.C.B., whose commission was dated the 25th of Octo-
ber, in that year. The regiment was still at Niagara,
where it remained till that post was given up to the
Americans in 1796, when it was ordered to Quebec,

* Lieutenant-Colonel Smith continued in the command of the
fortress of Niagara until the 19th November, 1795, when he
died, and was buried with military honours, in a vault prepared
for the family on the Canada side of the Niagara River. His
son, Sir David William Smith, baronet, was born in the regiment,
and having obtained a commission at an early age, he attained
the rank of Captain in it before he quitted the service; he after-
wards settled in the province of Upper Canada, and was called to
the bar there. He communicated to the compiler of this record,
with great zeal and kindness, several interesting particulars rela-
tive to the history of the regiment. He died on the 19th of May,
1837, at Alnwick, in Northumberland.

+t Now (1837) Lieutenant-General Sir Roger Hale Sheatie, Bt.

1791

1792

1794

56 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1796 In the winter of 1796 it was’ employed against the
insurgent Canadians at Point Levi, on which occasion
1797 it crossed the St. Lawrence on the ice. In 1797, the
corporals and privates were drafted into the Twenty-
fourth regiment, while the officers and serjeants returned
to England, and on their disembarkation were ordered to
Grantham, in Lincolnshire, to recruit; which service
was very successfully carried on in all the principal
1798 towns ofthe county. From Grantham it was moved to
Boston, and from thence suddenly ordered to Norman
Cross barracks, where some disturbances had broken out
among the French prisoners. After a few months, how-
ever, at the particular request of the inhabitants of Bos-
ton, it was again quartered in that town, on which occa-
sion the volunteer corps lined the streets through which
the regiment had to pass, and a splendid dinner and

ball were given to the officers by the inhabitants. This
kindly feeling between Lincolnshire and the Firru regi-
ment has continued ever since, and more recruits have
joined its rauks {vom that county than from any other.
1700 When the expedition sent out with the view of deliver-
ing Holland from the power of France was determined
on iii 1700, the Firru regiment, already in a high state
of efficiency, both with respect to numbers and discipline,
was selected to form part of the army destined for that
service, and was accordingly marched to the camp on
Barham Downs. It was immediately after divided into
two battalions, upwards of eight hundred each, in

strength, Major-General George Hewett being appointed
on the 5th of August, 1799, Colonel-Commandant of the
second battalion; and in September both battalions
embarked at Deal for Holland, where they landed on
the 14th and 15th, and formed with the Thirty-fifth

regiment, the eighth brigade of the army, under the

‘

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 57

command of His Royal Highness Prince William of 1799

Gloucester.

In the general attack made on the 19th of September
on the whole line of the French positions in North Hol-
land, the FirtH regiment formed part of the column
under Lieutenant-General Dundas, destined to carry the
intrenched villages of Walmenhuysen, and Schoreldam,
in the attack upon the latter of which, the first battalion
took an active part, and had one Lieutenant (Harris)
mortally, and its Lieutenant-Colonel (Stephenson)
severely wounded; sustaining, besides, a loss of five
killed, four wounded, and four missing. Of this action
the Duke of York observed, in his public despatch,
‘The gallantry displayed by the troops engaged, the
* spirit with which they overcame every obstacle which
‘nature and art opposed to them, and the cheerfulness
« with which they maintained the fatigue of an action,
‘«‘ which lasted without intermission, from half-past three
** o'clock in the morning, until five in the afternoon, are
‘beyond my power to describe or extol. Their exer-
“ tions fully entitle them to the admiration and gratitude
‘of their King and country.”

In the battle of Egmont-op-Zee on the 2nd and 6th of
October, Prince William’s brigade was not activeiy en-
gaged, but the flank companies of the Firru, whieh
were attached to the grenuadier and light infantry bat-
talions of the line, and formed part of the reserve under
Colonel Macdonald of the Fifty-fifth regiment, had an
opportunity of distinguishing themselves; they had seve-
ral men killed and wounded, also Captain Pratt wounded
on the 2nd, and Lieutenant Hamilton on the 6th of
October; and on both occasions behaved so well as to
receive the particular thanks of their commander.

On the 10th of October the posts occupied by the two

See

2 ASS Nga (PRT el lance SC DIN get NAD AOAC RUE aa ERS ap

58 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1799 battalions of the Firtu, in front of the village of Winkle,
were attacked by the enemy in great strength. The
French troops had succeeded in forcing a passage over
a canal which covered the village, wnen Colonel Bligh,
who commanded the first battalion, perceiving that if
the advance of the enemy was not checked, the re-
mainder of the brigade was in danger of being cut off,
planted the colours of the Firtu on the top of the dyke,
and kept his yround till he had secured and covered the
retreat of the brigade ; the second battalion, under Lieu-
tenani-Colonel Talbot, in the mean time maintaining its
positions till ordered to retreat by Prince William, whe
on this occasion, issued the following general order :—

“ Oude, Sluys, 12th October, 1799.
« Prince William desires Colonel Bligh and the first
battalion ofthe Firra Regiment will accept his thanks,
“ for the gallant manner in which they attacked the ene-

‘my when he was passing the canal opposite Winkle ;
‘and Lieutenant-Colonels Talbot and Lindsay, of the
‘“second battalion of the Firrx, for their exertions on
‘the 10th instant.”

The Dutch did not second the gallant exertions thus
made to effect their deliverance from foreign domination,
and the evacuation of Hoiland was resolved on. As late
as the 12th of October, the Firra Regiment was still in
front of the enemy, and eventually occupied the works at.
the Helder, during the retreat and final embarkation of
the army; being, according to Sir James Pulteney’s
letter of the 20th of November, among the last of the
British troops who quitted Holland, and exhibiting to
the end, persevering good conduct and unwearied cou-
rage, under hardships which his Royal Highness the
Duke of York, in general orders, dated 8th of October,

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 59

i 1799, designated as “ insupportable.” On its arrival in 1799 i
sd England, the regiment was stationed at Silver Hill bar- al
va racks, and the following year both battalions were or- 1800 ili
h, dered to Gibraltar. Hd
if In August, 1801, Sir Alured Clarke was removed to 1801 My
al the Colonelcy of the Seventh Foot, and the command of (i
ff, the FirrH was bestowed on the 20th of August, on Al
e, Major-General Richard England, who, from the 14th of |
. April, 1800, had been Colonel-Commandant of the
‘ second battalion.
us At Gibraltar the regiment continued till the peace of 1802
- Amiens, when it returned to England. The second 1803
battalion was then disbanded at Winchester, and the
first ordered to Guernsey, where it remained till 1804, 1804
st when it returned to England, and was statioued first, for
s, a short time, at Hilsea, and afterwards at Colchester.
7" The war with Framee having been resumed, a second
¥ battalion was again eaised, in 1804, and embodied at
le Horsham in Suesex.
rn In 1805, the establishment of the first battalion was 1805
augmented to $000 rank and file ; and it was, with other
yegiments, reviewed in the autumn at Colchester, by his
- Royal Highness the Duke of York.
aia In the same year the second battalion was stationed
os at Chichester, and reeruited successfully in Petworth,
ia Steyning, Midhurst, Lewes, and Rye; in February,
a 1806, it was sent to Guernsey, and from thence in
of August following, it was removed to Alderney.
’s In November, 1805, the first battalion embarked at
ie Deal, with the forees under “ord Catheart, destined for
0 the defence of Hanower. During the voyage the « Helder”
e transport, containing the left wimg of the battalion, was
S unfortunately wrecked off the Helder, and the officers
i and men were made prisoners by the Dutch. The right

60 ‘THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1806 wing returned to England in 1806, and was stationed at
Rye, in Sussex, where it was joined in September, by
the left wing, which had been liberated by an exchange
of prisoners.

In 1806, the first battalion sailed in the expedition
under Brigadier-General Robert Craufurd, to join the
British forces at Monte Video, in the province of Buenos
Ayres, in South America; and after being embarked
upwards of nine months, landed on the 28th of June,

1807 1807, at Ensenada de Barragon, and. was formed in
Brigadier-General Sir Samuel Achmuty’s brigade, for
the attack made by Lieutenant-General Whitelocke, on
the capital of the province.

After some fatiguing marches through a country much
intersected by swamps and deep muddy rivulets, the troops
crossed the Rio Chuelo, and formed in the suburbs of
Buenos Ayres, when the Firru had its post towards the
convent of Recoleta; and in the plan for the general
attack, the regiment was formed in two divisions, and
directed to penetrate the streets immediately in its front.
Accordingly, at half-past six o'clock on the morning of
the 5th of July, the regiment advanced: the streets
were found deserted by the inhabitants; the houses and
shops closed ; and a death-like silence, interrupted only
by the firm tread of the British soldier, reigned in the
midst of this populous city; but at a given signal, the

whole male population suddenly appeared, and the
windows and tops of the flat-roofed houses were crowded
with armed men, who commenced a destructive fire ; at
the same time the streets were found intersected by
ditches, and protected by cannon; but the Firtu, press-
ing onward with a conquering might which overcame
all resistance, forced its passage through the streets

with fixed bayonets, and, after penetrating to the river,

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 6l

took possession of the church and convent of St. Catalina,
from whence it moved to the Plaza de Toros, where
thirty-two pieces of cannon and a quantity of ammuni-
tion were captured. In the mean time several other
corps, not able to overcome the opposition they met
with, had been repulsed or overpowered, and made pri-
soners by the Spaniards; and on the following day Lieu-
tenant-General Whitelocke agreed to vacate the place.
In this affair the Firtn sustained a loss of fourteen
killed, also forty-seven wounded, amongst the latter was
Major the Honourable Henry King; and twenty-four
missing. On the conclusion of the treaty between Gene-
ral Whitelocke and General Liniers, the English army
re-embarked, and, after a tedious voyage, during which
it was exposed to considerable want both of provisions
and water, the Ist battalion of the Firrn Regiment.
landed at Cork, in December, 1807, where the 2nd bat-

talion also arrived from Alderney on the 3rd of the same
month.

In the same year, the sanction of his Royal Highness
the Prince Regent was obtained for clothing the drum-
mers of the regiment in white, with white and red lace,
instead of gosling green.

The second battalion was quartered at Charles Fort,
Kinsale, from whence it marched in February, 1808, to
Fermoy. In the summer of the same year, the first bat-
talion. under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John
Mackenzie, was ordered to proceed to the aid of the
Portuguese in their resistance to the tyrannical power of
Buonaparte ; it accordingly embarked at Cork, and sailed
on the 12th July for Portugal; where it landed on the
9th of August, and immediately joined the army of Lieu-
tenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley. In the action at

1807

THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

62

1808 Roleia, on the 17th, it was one of the few corps whom

circumstances and the nature of the ground permitted to
come to actual engagement with the enemy; and ad-
vancing by the right-hand path to the heights of Zambu-
geira, it climbed the rugged rocks in the face of a
French force, which, after a gallant resistance, was driven
from the heights. Thus by its conduct on that day,
wherein two of its officers, Major Emes and Lieutenant
Doyle were wounded, it earned the Royal permission to
have the word “ Ro tet” inscribed on its colours. _ Its
further loss was three killed, and two serjeants and thirty-
nine rank and file wounded. Sir Arthur Wellesley, in
his despatch, observed, “I cannot sufficiently applaud
“ the conduct of the troops throughout this action.. The
‘‘ enemy’s positions were formidable, and he took them
“ up with his usual ability and celerity, and defended
“them most gallantly. I must observe, that although we
“had such a superiority of numbers employed in the
“ operations of this day, the troops actually engaged in
“ the heat of the action were, from unc. oidable circum-
“ stances, only the Firtx, Ninth, Twenty-ninth, the rifle-
«men of the Sixtieth and Ninety- fifth, and the flank com-
‘« panies of Major-General Hill’s brigade, being in number
‘by no means equal to that of the enemy ;—their con-
‘‘ duct therefore deserves the highest commendation.”

In the subsequent battle of Vimiera, fought on the
21st of August, the first battalion of the Firtu forming,
with the Ninth and Thirty-eighth Regiments, the first
brigade, was posted a the mountain on the right of the
village. ‘The enemy was defeated, and the regiment was
rewarded by royal permission to inscribe the word
« VimierA” also upon its colours.

These successes being followed by the Convention of

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 63

Cintra, and the evacuation of Portugal by the French, 1808

the first battalion of the Firrn was afterwards stationed
in Lisbon, where it remained several weeks.

Portugal being now free from the presence of an ene-
my, an army, commanded by Lieutenani-General Sir
John Moore, wa. sent up the country in the autumn, to
assist the Spaniards in their resistance to the armies of
France, and the first battalion of the Firra Regiment
was selected to form part of this expedition.

Passing through Portugal by a rapid ‘narch, the
troops traversed four hundred miles in a short time, and
were soon engaged in operations in Spain; but the
Spaniards, who were to have co-operated, had in the
mean time been defeated and dispersed; and the little
British army was eventually obliged to retire before the
superior numbers of the enemy. The FirtaH Regiment
took its full share in the disasters and privations of the
retreat from Sahagun to Corunna, as well as in the

glories of the 16th of January, 1809, when the steady jg09

firmness of the British army, by repulsing at all points
an assailant, superior in numbers and artillery, and com-
manded by one of the ablest generals* that France could
boast, proved to the world that even a forcec. .-treat of two
hundred and fifty miles, made under circuinstances the
most disheartening, and accompanied by privations the
most appalling, though it might wear the sinews and ex-
haust the physical strength of the British soldier, had no
power to shake his resolution or daunt his courage.

In the battle of Corunna, Colonel Mackenzie particu-
larly distinguished himself: after having one horse shot
under him, he remounted another, and was at length
mortally wounded, whereupon the command of the

* Marshal Soult, Due de Dalmatia.

(4 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1809 battalion devolved on Major Emes, who received a
medal for this servi ©, while the regiment itself acquired
another honorary inscription for its colours, ‘Corunna’
being by royal permission borne upon them, ‘Vie
number of killed and wounded of the first battalion of
the Firtu, in the battle of Corunna, has never been
exactly ascertained ; but on mustering after its return to
England, one serjeant, two corporals, three drummers,
and one hundred and twenty-six rank and file were
found to be missing.

The first battalion landed in February, 1809, at Rams-
gate, and after a halt of a few days at Margate, was or-
dered to Steyning, in Sussex, where it was fully equipped
and completed to upwards of one thousand rank and file,
and embarked in July following at Portsmouth, under
the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Pratt, to form part
of the expedition under the Earl of Chatham designed
to effect the destruction of the enemy’s shipping and
arsenal on the Scheldt.

During the «iege of Flushing, on the Island of Wal-
cheren, the fist battalion of the FirtH was very actively
employed, aud although bivouacked without tents
during the whole time (with the exception of one week
that it was in garrison in Flushing, after its surrender)
had very few sick ; but on being embarked to proceed up
the Scheldt for the projected attack upon Antwerp, the
Walcheren fever broke out in its ranks with dreadful
violence, attacking about six hundred men. In the
active operations it lost one captain (Talbot) killed, and
Captain M. Hamilton and Lieutenant Galbraith were
wounded, the former losing a leg: its loss from disease
was much more severe, for before its return to England,
in December following, two captains (Philips and Wil-
liam Hamilton), and three lieutenants (Brown, Mac

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, 65

Donough, and Cary) and many men had been carried 1809
off by the fever. On its return to England, the battalion
was stationed at Bexhill.

In the mean time a detachment of the regiment left
in Portugal, when the first battalion advanced into Spain
had been added to a battalion of detachments under
Lieutenant-Colonel Copson of the Firrii. »» | warmly
engaged at the battle of Talavera, on th: | 28th
of July, for which Lieutenant-Colonel -eived
a medal.

The second battalion had been removed oy,
in April of this year, to Coloony in the King’s County,
and from thence in June to Cork, and, embarking at
Cove, landed on the 4th of July at Lisbon ; and on the
3rd of August marched, under command of Lieutenant-
Colonel the Honourable Henry King, to join the army
in the field under Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wel-

lesley, and take its share in the subsequent operations of
the campaign. About the end of September it was rein-
forced by nearly one hundred men of the first battalion,
who had been left behind as before stated, and - it passed
the winter in quarters near the Portuguese frontiers.

The immense preparations of the enemy for the en-
suing campaign induced Lord Wellington * to limit his
operations in 1810 to the defence of Portugal. The
second battalion of the Firru formed part of Major-
General Lightburn’s brigade of the third (Sir Thomas
Picton’s) division of the araiy, and was stationed for
some time behind the Mondego river, from whence it
advanced to Pinhel behind the Coa to support the light

division; and was afterwards employed in a series of

* Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, K.B., was created
a Peer on the 26th August, 1809, by the titles of Baron Douro
of Wellesley, and Viscount Wellington of Talavera.
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66 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1810 operations to retard the advaiice of the overpowering
numbers of the enemy. At length Lord Wellington
made a stand on the rocks of Busaco; and the third
division had its post on the heights near the village of
St. Antonio de Cantara. Here the second battalion of
the Firrx was first under fire, and its light company,
under Lieutenant Shadwell Clerke, was thrown out to re-
pulse the advancing skirmishers of the enemy, a service
which it most promptly and gallantly performed.

The French, after astonishing efforts, gave way before
the superior valour and tactics of the British troops.
For this victory, Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable
Henry King, commanding the battalion, received a
medal, and the word “Busaco” was authorized, on
the 3lst of December, 1825, to be inscribed upon the
colours of the regiment. Its loss in the battle of Busaco
was one killed and seven wounded.

After the battle, the French having made a flank
movement, Lord Wellington retired to the celebrated
lines of Torres Vedras, where he opposed an insurmount-
able barrier to the further progress of the enemy; and
the second battalion of the Firtn passed the remainder
of the year in these stupendous works.

The first battalion remaining on home service was re-
moved, in March, 1810, from Bexhill to Lewes, and on
the 12th of August was, with several other corps, re-
viewed on Brighton Downs by his Royal Highness the
Prince Regent, attended by his Royal Highness the
Duke of Clarence, (afterwards King William IV.,) who
expressed themselves in terms of approbation of its ap-
pearance and discipline. Two days afterwards the bat-
talion marched to Portsmouth, where it embarked for
Ireland, and on its arrival was quartered at Fermoy.

1811 During the early part of 1811, the second battalion
remained in the lines of Torres Vedras, where Major-

- nf Fy we Ff & fA @& *+*§ BH FR

Ce a a ee oe ee ee ee

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 67

General the Honourable Charles Colville took command 1811
of the brigade. The enemy, defeated in his purpose,
reduced in numbers by sickness, and in want of pro-
visions, was obliged to retreat; and the second battalion
of the Firtu, moving with its division from the lines,
was employed in the pursuit of Marshal Massena
towards the frontiers of Portugal. It was frequently
engaged with the enemy’s rear guards, and on the 12th
of March had a sharp affair at Redinha, where, de-
scending from the woody heights on the enemy's left,
it cleared the grounds in its front in fine style, and
forded a deep and rapid river, under the fire of the
enemy, when Lieutenant Clerke, already mentioned
as commanding the light company at Busaco, was
severely wounded in the leg, which he lost in conse-
quence.

The battalion continued to take an active part in the
pursuit; and in the action at Sabugal, on the 3rd of
April, it forded the river Coa, and immediately after-

wards, on ascending the heights, and while the brigade
was forming on one of the centre companies of the-
Firtu, the skirmishers were rapidly driven in. The
FirtH, commanded by Major Ridge, suddenly found
itself in presence of a strong French column, upon
which it instantly advanced, opening at the same time
a heavy fire; the encmy was repulsed with severe loss,
and driven precipitately, and in the greatest disorder,
down the hill. In this affair Lieutenant Sinclair was
killed, and Ensign Williams, one serjeant, and five rank
} ap- and file, wounded.
bat- Almeida having been blockaded by the British, the
d for French advanced to relieve the place, and crossed the
frontiers of Portugal on the 2nd of May. On that day
alion the battalion of the FirrH was again in sight of the

ajor- F 2

68 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1811 enemy, and on the 5th of the same month it was present,
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel King (who
had rejoined), at the battle of Fuentes d’Onor, where the
enemy was defeated, and his design to relieve Almeida
frustrated. In this action the battalion had four rank
and file wounded.

Immediately after the battle of Fuentes d’Onor, the
second battalion of the Firt was detached to the south
to join the forces under Marshal Beresford, and it was
employed in the second siege of Badajoz, where it was
one of the first corps to break ground. In the opera-
tions of this siege, which was raised on the morning of
the 17th of June, Lieutenant Sedgwick of the Firtu
(acting as engineer) and three rank and file were killed,
and one serjeant and three rank and file were wounded.

Returning to the north, the battalion commanded by
Major Ridge was stationed, during the month of August
and part of September, in the village of Fuente Guinaldo,
then the head-quarters of Lord Wellington: it was the
only British corps in the village, and was considered
such a favourite as to have acquired the nom de guerre
of « Lord Wellington’s body-guard.”

It was afterwards employed in the bk —_—ie of Ciudad
Rodrigo; and on the 24th of September 1« was ordered
toa position on the heights near the village of El Bodon,
on the left of the Agueda and within a few miles of Ciu-
dad Rodrigo. The enemy, having assembled an immense
force to relieve the place, advanced on the morning of
the 25th, and the second battalion of the FirtH sus-
tained an attack from a vastly superior French force,
consisting of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, in so dis-
tinguished a manner, that its conduct was held up in
General Orders as an example to the whole army. The
behaviour of the battalion on this proud occasion is

sent,
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OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 69

described by Lord Wellington in his public despatch as 1811

follows :—

«The enemy's attention was principally directed
“during this day (the 25th) to the portion of the third
« division on the hills between Fuente Guinaldo and
« Pastores. About eight in the morning they moved a
“‘ column, consisting of between thirty and forty squa-
“‘drons of cavalry, and fourteen battalions of infantry,
“and twelve pieces of cannon, from Ciudad Rodrigo, in
“such a direction that it was doubtful whether they
“would attempt to ascend the hills by Encina, El
‘* Bodon, or by the direct road towards Fuente Guinaldo,
«and I was not certain by which road they would make
“their attack till they actually commenced it upon the
«last. As soon as I saw the direction of their march, I
« had reinforced the second battalion of the Firru regi-
“* ment, which occupied the post on the hill, over which
“the road passes to Guinaldo, by the Seventy-seventh
“regiment, and by the Twenty-first Portuguese regi-
“* ment, under the command of Major-General the Ho-
“ nourable Charles Colville, and Major-General Alten’s
“‘ brigade, of which only three squadrons remained,
«which had not been detached, drawn from El Bodon,
«‘ and I ordered there a brigade of the fourth division,
* from Fuente Guinaldo, and afterwards from El Bodon
‘‘ the remainder of the troops of the third division, with
“the exception of those at Pastores, which were’ too
«distant. In the meantime, however, the small body of
“ troops at this post sustained the attack of the enemy’s
“cavalry and artillery. One regiment of French dra-
“* goons succeeded in taking two pieces of cannon, which
“had been posted on a rising ground on the right of
“our troops; but they were charged by the second
“battalion of the Firru regiment, under the command

70 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1811 “ of Major Ridge, and the guns were immediately re-
* taken.

« While this operation was going on on the flank, an
“attack was made on the front by another regiment,
«« which was repulsed in a similar manner by the Seventy-
“seventh regiment, and the three squadrons of Major-
«General Alten’s brigade charged repeatedly different
“‘ bodies of the enemy, which ascended the hill on the
“left of the two regiments of British infantry, the Por-
“‘tuguese regiment being posted in the rear of their
‘right. :

“« At length the division of the enemy’s infantry, which
‘«‘had marched with the cavalry from Ciudad Rodrigo,
“was brought up to the attack on the road to Fuente
* Guinaldo. The second battalion of the Firtx regi-
“ ment, and the Seventy-seventh regiment, were formed
‘ into one square, and the Twenty-first Portugese regi-
‘* ment into another, supported by Major-General Alten’s
“ small body of cavalry and the Portuguese artillery.

«The enemy's cavalry immediately rushed forward,
“and obliged our cavalry to retire to the support of the
«« Portuguese regiment, and the Firru and Seventy-
“‘ seventh regiments were charged, on three faces of the
‘square, by the French cavalry, but they halted and
“repulsed the attack with the utmost steadiness and
« gallantry. We then continued the retreat, and joined
“the remainder of the third division, also formed in

‘ squares, on their march to Fuente Guinaldo; and the
‘«‘ whole retired together in the utmost order, and the
‘enemy never made another attempt to charge any of
“them, but were satisfied with firing upon them with
« their artillery, and with following them.

« T cannot conclude this report of the occurrence of
« the last week, without expressing to your Lordship my

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, 71

« admiration of the conduct of the troops engaged in the 1811
“affair of the 25th instant. The conduct of the second
‘“ battalion of the FirtH regiment, commanded by Major
“‘ Ridge, in particular, affords a memorable example of
«‘ what the steadiness and discipline of the troops, and
‘‘ their confidence in their officers, can effect, in the most
‘‘ difficult and trying situations. The conduct of the
« Seventy-seventh regiment under Lieutenant-Colonel
‘«* Bromhead was equally good ; and I have never seen a
“‘more determined attack than was made by the whole
‘of the enemy’s cavalry, with every advantage of the
“ assistance of a superior artillery, and repulsed by these
“‘ two weak battalions.”

The following are extracts from General Orders
issued by command of Lord Wellington on this memo-
rable occasion.

\lten’s “ Head-Quarters, Regidsa, 2nd October, 1811.

‘2 No. 3. “The commander of the forces is desirous
ward, ‘« of drawing the attention of the army to the conduct of
of the “the second battalion of the FirrH regiment, and
renty- “ Seventy-seventh regiment, and Twenty-first Portu-
of the “ guese regiment, and Major Arentschildt’s Portuguese
l and « artillery, under the command of the Honourable Major-
3 and “ General Colville, and of the Eleventh Light Dragoons
joined “and First Hussars, under Major-General Alten, in
ed in “the affair with the enemy on the 25th of September
id the “ultimo. These troops were attacked by between thirty
d the “and forty squadrons of cavalry, with six pieces of
any of “ cannon, supported by a division, consisting of fourteen
| with “* battalions of infantry, with cannon.”

No. 4. « The Portuguese artillery-men were cut down
“at their guns before they would quit them; but the
ip my ** second battalion of the FirtH regiment attacked the

nce of

2 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1811 “ cavalry, which had taken their guns, and retook them ;
“at the same time the Seventy-seventh regiment was
“ attacked in front by another body of cavalry, upon
«‘ which body they advanced, and repulsed them.”’

No. 5. “While those actions were performed, Major-

«General Alten’s brigade, of which there were only
“ three squadrons o:. the ground, was engaged on the
«left with numbers infinitely superior to themselves.
«These squadrons charged repeatedly, supporting each
‘other, and took about twenty prisoners, and, notwith-
“standing the immense superiority of the enemy, the
“post would have been maintained, if the commander
“of the forces had not ordered the troops to withdraw
“ from it, seeing that the action would have been still
“ more unequal, as the enemy’s infantry were likely to
“be engaged in it before the reinforcements ordered to
“ support the post could arrive.”

_ No. 6. « The troops then retired with the same deter-
“ mined spirit, and in the same good order, with which
“they had maintained their post—the second battalion
“of the Firtn and Seventy-seventh regiments in one
« square, and the Twenty-first Portuguese in another,
“supported by Major General's Alten’s cavalry, and the
« Portuguese artillery. The enemy’s cavalry charged
«three faces of the square of the British infantry, but
« were beaten off; and, finding from their fruitless efforts
‘‘ that those brave troops were not to be broken, they
“were content with following them at a distance, and
“ firing upon them with artillery, till the troops joined
“the remainder of the third division, and were after-
“‘wards supported by a brigade of the fourth division.
« Although the Twenty-first Portuguese regiment was
“not actually charged by the enemy’s cavalry, their
“ steadiness and determination were conspicuous, and the

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 73

“commander of the forces observed with pleasure the 1811

‘order and regularity with which they made all their
“ movements, and the confidence they showed in their
« officers,”

No. 7. “ The commander of the forces has been
“ particular in stating the details of this action in the
‘¢ general orders, as in his opinion it affords a memorable
‘example of what can be effected by steadiness, disci-
“ pline, and confidence. It is impossible that any troops
‘can be exposed at any time to the attack of numbers
“ relatively greater than those which attacked the troops
‘under Major-General Colville and Major-General
« Alten, on the 25th of September ; and the commander
“ of the forces recommends the conduct of these troops
“to the particular attention of the officers and soldiers
‘of the army, as an example to be followed in all such
“* circumstances.”

No. 8. “The commander of the forces considers
“« Major-General Alten and Major-General Colville, and
‘‘ the commanding officers of regiments under their com-
““mand respectively, viz. Lieutenant-Colonel Cummins,
‘«* Lieutenant-Colonel Arentschildt, Lieutenant-Colonel
‘‘ Bromhead, Major Ridge, and Colonel Bucella, of the
* Twenty-first Portuguese, and the officers and soldiers
‘* under their command, to be entitled to his particular
“thanks, and assures them that he has not fauc<i to
“ report his sense of their conduct, in the action of the
« 25th of September, to those by whom he trusts that
it will be duly appreciated and recollected.”

Further eulogium, or even comment, on the brilliant
conduct of the second battalion of this regiment at Ex
Bopon it must be felt, is unnecessary, and would be
supererogatory : its loss was five rank and file killed, and

THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1811 Captain Ramus, one serjeant, and twelve rank and file,
wounded. The army moved forward on the 26th to
occupy other positions, and the battalion, for the remain-
der of 1811, was posted in the village of Payo, near the
pass of Perales.

1812 The first operation of the year 1812 was the siege of
Ciudad Rodrigo, in the storming of which fortress, on
the 19th of January, the second battalion of the Firtu
had another glorious opportunity of distinguishing itself
and earning one more honourable inscription for the
regimental colours. On this occasion, moving from its
post behind the convent of Santa Cruz, it entered the
ditch at the extremity of the counterscarp, then, after
escalading the wall and scouring the fausse braye to the
great breach, it rushed forward in the face of a thunder-
ing discharge of shells, grape, and musketry, which
thinned the ranks; yet, continuing its course with un-
abated fury, it drove the French, with fixed bayonets, be-
hind the entrenchments. Here the enemy rallied, some
hard fighting occurred, but at length the British, by a
mighty effort, burst through the entrenchment. In the
mean time the other attacks had also succeeded. The
garrison fought for a moment in the streets; but even-
tually fled to the castle and surrendered. The Com-
mander-in-Chief, in his despatch to the Earl of Liver-
pool, dated Gallegos, 20th of January, 1812, says :-—

‘“‘ Major Ridge, of the second battalion, FirtH regi-
“ ment, having escaladed the fausse braye wall, stormed
‘the principal breach in the body of the place, together
“with the Ninety-fuurth regiment *, commanded by
« Lieutenant-Colonel Campell, which had moved along

* Late Scots Brigade, formed from the three Scots regiments,
mentioned at page 10.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 75

“the ditch at the same time, and had stormed the 1812

“breach in the fausse braye, both in front of Major-
“ General Mackinnon’s brigade. Thus these regiments
“not only effectually covered the advance from the
“trenches of Major-General Mackinnon’s brigade by
“their first movements and operations, but they pre-
“ ceded them in the attack.

The conduct of all parts of the third division in the
‘ operations which they performed with so much gal-
“ Jantry and exactness, on the evening of the 19th in the
“¢ dark, affords the strongest proof of the abilities of Lieu-
“‘ tenant-General Picton and Major-General Mackinnon,
‘by whom they were directed and led; but I beg par-
“ticularly to draw your lordship’s attention to the con-
« duct of Lientenant-Colonel O'Toole, of the second Ca-
«* gadores ; of Major Ridge, second battalion Firtu Foot ;
‘of Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, Ninety-fourth regi-
“ ment; of Major Manners, of the Seventy-fourth; and
“of Major Grey, second battalion Firtu Foot, who has
“been twice wounded during the siege.”

The loss of the battalion during the siege, and at the
storming of Ciudad Rodrigo, was heavy, Captain Mc
Dougal, one serjeant, and thirty-four rank and file, being
killed, and Major Grey, Captain Dubourdieu, Lieute-
nants Wylde, Mc Kenzie, D. E. Johnson, Fitzgerald, and
Fairtclough, Ensigns Ashford and Canch (who. carried
the colours at the assault), and Volunteer Hillyard, with
three serjeants, and fifty-five rank and file, wounded.
Major Ridge obtained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel,
and the words ‘ C1upap Roprico’ are authorized, under
date October the 25th, 1817, to be borne on the colours
of the regiment.

As soon as the breaches in Ciudad Rodrigo were re-

76 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1812 paired, and the place put in a state of defence, the Earl
of Wellington undertook, for a third time, the siege of
Badajoz, and on the 16th of March the second battalion
of the Firtn, with the remainder of Sir Thomas Picton’s
division, having marched to the Alentejo, crossed the
Guadiana, and took up its position in the investing force.
In the assault, which took place at ten o'clock on the
night of the 6th of April, General Picton’s division was
directed to file out of the trenches, cross the Rivillas river,
and scale the castle walls, which were from eighteen to
twenty-four feet high; furnished with all means of de-
struction, and so narrow at the top that the defenders
could easily overturn the ladders. ‘The second battalion
of the Firtn led the brigade to which it belonged, and,
passing the Rivillas ‘by a narrow bridge under a hot fire of
musketry, the troops reared their ladders against the lofty
castle, and with undaunted courage ascended amidst a
shower of heavy stones, logs of wood, and bursting shells
from the parapet, while the enemy plied a heavy fire from
the flanks, and with pikes or bayonets stabbed the leading
assailants in front, or pushed the ladders from the wall,
Yet, amidst the deafening noise of musketry, the crash
of breaking ladders, and the sound of falling weights,
the men were seen striving who should first ascend, until,
all being overturned, a pause ensued, and the French
shouted “ Victory.”—A vain shout :—for in a few moments
the heroic Lieutenant-Colonel Ridge, who commanded
the Firtu, springing forward, and calling on his men to
follow, raised a ladder against the castle on the right of
the former attack, Ensign Canch raised a second, and the
next moment these two, with Colonel Campbell of the
Ninety-fourth (commanding the brigade), followed by
the grenadiers, were on the rampart. The remainder of
the men followed cheering, and, when a sufficient number

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

77

. had succeeded in gaining the summit of the wall, the 1812
ies gallant Ridge, calling out ““ Come on, my lads, let us be
Mg “the first to seize the governor,” led them along the |
ramparts and drove the garrison before them with ter- 4
i rible slaughter through the double gate into the town, }
u The enemy sent a reinforcement, but it was driven back. |
is Thus the castle was nobly won, and the grenadiers of
E the Firtn had the honour of having led the successful
: escalade, under circumstances which gave an interesting
a character to this daring exploit. A shot in the breast | |
ie unfortunately closed the mortal career of Lieutenant- i}
Oe Colonel Ridge even in the moment of victory, and de-
prived the regiment, and the service in general, of a most
i valuable officer *. His family had the melancholy satis-
faction of receiving the medal which, had he survived,
7 would have graced his own breast: another medal was
Is given to Major Bishop, who, on the death of his Lieute-
- nant-Colonel, succeeded to the temporary command of |
- the battalion; and, in reward and commemoration of its |
i services on this occasion, the word “ Bapasoz” is, by Li
h authority dated July the 4th, 1818, borne on the colours. 1
" During the siege and assault, the battalion lost, besides |
il its lamented Lieutenant-Colonel, one Lieutenant (Fairt-
i clough), one serjeant, and sixteen rank and file, killed ;
‘ and two captains, Bennett (aide-de-camp to Major-Ge
d neral Kempt) and Doyle, Lieutenant John Pennington,
. and Ensign Hopkins, with three serjeants, and twenty-
of seven rank and file, wounded.
a After the capture of Badajoz, the second battalion
4 accompanied the army towards the north of Portugal
y and into Spain; it was in position on the heights of
if St. Christoval until after the capture of the forts at
or * “Ridge fell, and no man died that night with more glory:—

‘* yet many died, and there was much glory.’—Nupier.

78 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1812 Salamanca. It was afterwards in position on the Douro,
and was for a time posted, with the remainder of the
third division, to observe the ford of Pollos, while the
opposite bank of the river was occupied by the French
army ; and it was occasionally under the enemy’s fire in
the course of the movements which preceded the battle
of Salamanca.

During this period, the first battalion, which had
embarked at Cork in May, landed at Lisbon, and, ad-
vancing by forced marches, joined the army about the
20th of July, a few leagues in front of Salamanca,
taking the right of that brigade of the third division
which had been hitherto formed by the second battalion
of the Firtu, the Eighty-third, and the Ninety-fourth
regiments.

The two battalions of the Firru were thus united
in time for the whole regiment to share in the honours
and triumphs of the 22nd of July, 1812, the glorious
victory of Salamanca. In the course of this day,
while the French were manceuvring, the third divi-
sion, being suddenly ordered to cross their line of
march, sprang forward with an energy and force which
broke the half-formed French lines into fragments, and
drove them in confusion upon the support. The shock
of this gallant and unexpected attack threw the enemy
into confusion; and the division continuing its spirited
advance, the right flank of the first battalion of the
FirtH was threatened by a charge of cavalry, when
three companies were thrown back en potence, and,
coolly allowing the enemy’s horse to advance so close
that every shot would tell, opened so steady and well-
directed a fire, that they were instantly repulsed, and
they fled in disorder. The division again bearing:
onwards in its victorious course, its attack was rendered

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

79

decisive by a brilliant charge of the heavy cavalry ; and 1812

finally the enemy sustained an entire overthrow. Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Pratt, of the first battalion, Lieutenant-
Colonel the Honourable Henry King, of the second
(who in the course of the day succeeded to the tem-
porary command of the brigade), and Captain Bishop
(on whom at the same time the temporary command of
the second battalion. devolved), obtained medals; and .
the good conduct of the regiment in general was re-
warded by authority, under date October the 25th, 1817,
to bear the word “ SALAMANCA” inscribed on its colours.
Its loss amounted to one serjeant and ten rank and file
killed; and Captain Simcocks, Lieutenants Bird, Mc
Pherson, O'Dell, Gunn, ¥Tamilton, and Hillyard, Ensign
Pratt, and eleven serjeants, one drummer, and one
hundred and nineteen rank and file, wounded.

The loss of the second battalion in the brilliant but
severe service in which it had now for three years* been
constantly engaged was so serious, that, on the arrival of

* The chivalrous spirit displayed throughout these campaigns
by private James Grant, of the second battalion, deserves to be
recorded in these memoirs. This brave fellow was a native of
Strathspey; being a musician in the band, he was, as usual, left
with it in the rear whenever there was any expectation that th
battalion might be seriously engaged. On such occasions, how-
ever, Grant uniformly stule away from the band, appropriated to
himself the arms of the first man he found inthe field disabled
from using them himself, and, being a tall, fine-looking soldier;
fell in on the right of the grenadier company, and there fought
till the day was won, when he returned to his instrument. In
this manner he took part in the actions of Busaco, Sabugal,
Fuentes D’Onor, El Bodon, and Salamanca, the storming of
Ciudad Rodrigo, and was amongst the foremost in the escalade
of the castle of Badajoz. From all these he escaped without a
wound: he was appointed serjeant-major of the regiment in
1828; and he died in 1835 from the effects of a fall, at Malta,
where a handsome tomb was erected by the regiment, on which
his achievements were recorded.

80 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1812 the army in Madrid, the capture of which capital was
the first fruit of the victory of Salamanca, it was ordered
to England to recruit its thinned ranks. After trans-
ferring the effective privates to the first battalion, it took
leave of the army at Madrid on the 3rd of September,
embarked at Lisbon in November, and on the Ist of
December landed at Plymouth, from whence it marched,
on the following day, to Kingsbridge, to join its depot,
and finally, in January, 1813, took up its quarters in
Exeter. The estimation in which this battalion was held,
by the Earl of Wellington will be best shown by the
following extracts from general orders, dated Arcala,
July 27th, 1812.

“ The Commander of the Forces cannot part with the
“ officers and non-commissioned officers of the second
“battalion of the FirrH regiment, without again re-
“ questing them to accept his thanks for their uniform
“good conduct and brilliant and important services
* since they have been under his command.”

The first battalion remained stationary in Madrid,
while the Marquis of Wellington marched with part of
the army and commenced the siege of Burgos; and,
when the advance of the enemy’s immense force rendered
a retreat necessary, the battalion marched on the 24th of
October, with the rest of the third division, to join the
army, then retiring from the siege, and, returning with
it into Portugal, was stationed for the winter in the

villages of Ferrerina and Faya.

Lieutenant-General Richard England died on the 7th
of November this year, and on the 27th of the same
month Major-General William Wynyard, from the
Royal West India Rangers, was appointed to the Co-
lonelcy of this regiment.

1813 On the 16th of May, 1813, the first battalion of the

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

81

Firtn bre\~ p from its cantonments, and (brigaded 1813

wae with the Ei, :«y-third, Eighty-seventh, and Ninety- |
ptod fourth, under the Honourable Sir Charles Colville,) ad- ii
Bris- vanced with the rest of the army into Spain. At the me- 4
ook morable and decisive battle of Vittoria, it forded the river, Wi
ber, and advancing against the right of the French army at ia|
ics Margarita and Hermanded, displayed its usual spirit and
| eds intrepidity, driving in a superior force of the enemy in
P ot, gallant style. The Marquis of Wellington, in his de- : |
: - spatch, notices the conduct of the brigade in these terms : Hi 4
ie —‘ Major-General the Honourable Sir Charles Colville’s |
“« brigade of the third division was seriously attacked in au
ae ‘its advance by a very superior force, well formed,
re “‘ which it drove in, supported by Major-General Inglis’s
** brigade of the seventh division, commanded by Colonel
one ‘“‘Grant, of the Eighty-second. These officers, and
a “the troops under their command, distinguished them-
cl “selves.” In this battle, the battalion had Captain
Une Adams, Lieutenant Higgins, Ensign Bolton, Volun- i t
nid: teer Rees, and twenty-two rank and file, killed; with iil
ay Captain Bateman, Hisutensnts Galbraith, Welch, and
aad Arthur Johnson, six serjeants and one hundred and
ered twenty-seven rank and file, wounded. Lieutenant-Co- |
h of lonel Pratt obtained a medal, and by authority, dated if
the October the 25th, 1817, the word “ Vittoria”’ is borne
with upon the colours of the regiment. |
the After the battle of Vittoria, the Firta pursued the
enemy in the direction of Pampeluna ; it was subsequently
7th sent against a French force under General Clausel,
avis which however escaped to Fr-v:e. The battalion
the afterwards proceeded to Pampeluna, and was engaged
Co- towards the end of July near the village of Horte del
Reigen in front of that fortress. Having advanced along
the the gloomy passes of the lofty Pyrenean mountains,

G

82 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1813 the regiment was stationed a short time at Olaque, in

the pass of Roncesvalles, from whence it retired, on the
advance of the enemy under Marshal Soult, to a posi-
tion in the Pyrenees, in front of Pampeluna. Here the
troops were attacked by the enemy, and after much
hard fighting had occurred,; the third division advanced
across the heights in its front to turn the enemy’s left
flank, when the French were driven from their ground
and pursued along the defiles in the mountains.

After passing through the Pyrenees the troops crossed
the frontiers, and the interior of France resounded to the
firm tread of the conquering British soldier. At the
battle of Nivelle, on the 10th of November, the third
division, under Major-General Colville (in the absence of
Sir Thomas Picton), formed the right centre of the com-
bined army, and advancing by the left of the village of
Sarré carried the redoubts on the left of the enemy’s
centre, driving the French from their ground, and after-
wards moving by the left of the river Nivelle upon St.
Pé; in which affairs, the usual gallant conduct of the
battalion earned a medal for its Lieutenant-Colonel
Pratt, and permission by authority, dated October the
25th, 1817, for the word “ NivELLE”’ to be borne on the
colours. In this battle, its loss consisted of one serjeant
and fourteen rank and file, killed ; Captain Clarke, Lieu-
tenant Bird, three serjeants, and one hundred and nine
rank and file, wounded; and Captain John Hamilton
taken prisoner.

The regiment was afterwards employed in the opera-
tions connected with the passage of the river Nive; and
was partially engaged in the action, on the 13th of
December ; after which it was cantoned in and about
Hasparen, a town in the south of France, 13 miles

from Bayonne.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 83

e, in On the 14th of February, 1814, the battalion broke 1814
1 the up from its cantonments, and on the 24th, it was sharply
posi- engaged with theenemy. Captain Culley, of the Firrn,
e the with the light companies of his own battalion, the
nuch Eighty-seventh, and Ninety-fourth, was ordered to force
a deep ford of the river Gave d’Oleron ; he effected the
passage, but, being attacked by superior numbers, was
driven back with considerable loss. Captain Culley, and
Lieutenant. R. Pennington, of the Firru, were severely
wounded on this occasion, and the battalion lost seven
rank and file, killed, and thirteen taken prisoners.

t the The battalion took part in the battle of Orthes, on
third the 27th of February; also in frequent and successful
ace of skirmishes with the French rear guard during its retreat
com- through the vineyards between Pau, Vicq, and Tarbes,
ge of and finally, in the battle of Toulouse, the closing struggle
and crowning victory of the Peninsular war, on which

inced
's left
ound

ossed.
o the

emy’s

after- occasion the first battalion of the FirtH behaved with
on St. its usual gallantry; its commanding officer, Colonel
of the Pratt, received medals for the battles of Orthes and
olonel Toulouse, and by authority dated July the 4th, 1818,

er the the names of these battles are inscribed upon the colours.

on the The loss of the battalion in the battle of Orthes was one
rjeant Lieutenant, Hopkins, and eleven rank and file, killed ;
Lieu- and thirty-three wounded: in subsequent actions it had
d. nine one rank and file, killed, and twelve wounded.
milton The gallant exploits of the British troops having
caused the overthrow of the tyrannical power of Buona-
opera- parte, hostilities ceased on the continent: the regiments
>; and went into quarters of refreshment, and the veterans of
3th of the Firra could now look back with exultation at the
about scenes of victory and triumph which had attended their
miles career in this war. They could reflect with delight on
the fame they had acquired, but especially at the
G2

84 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1814 glorious result, that their valour had preserved their
native land from the presence of war, and their efforts
had acquired peace for Europe.

On the extension of the most honourable military
order of the Bath in 1815, Colonel Charles Pratt, of
the Firtu, was nominated a Knight-Commander, and
Colonels the Honourable ,Henry King, and Edward
Copson, Companions of the Order. The regiment also,
in reward and commemoration of its services throughout
the Peninsular war, received permission by authority,
dated April the 22nd, 1815, to inscribe, in addition to its
other distinctions, the word “ PENINSULA” upon its colours.

Although peace had been restored to Europe, war was
continued in America, and the first battalion of the
Firtu was allowed but a few days repose, before it was
ordered to the scene of conflict. It marched out of
quarters on the !1th of May, and arrived on the 20th
at Bourdeaux, from whence, after a halt of eleven days,
it embarked, and sailed for Canada, disembarking on
the 7th of August at Sorel, on the river St. Law-
rence, about one hundred miles above Quebec. From
Sorel it marched to Chambly to join the troops encamped
there under Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, and
formed, with the Third, Twenty-seventh, and Twenty-
eighth regiments, the brigade of Major-General Sir
Manley Power. It was present at the unsuccessful
attack made by Sir George Prevost on the Americans
near Plattsburg, in the early part of September, and
afterwards went into barracks at La Prairie; in Novem-
ber it marched to Montreal, detaching five companies to
Coteau du Lac.

1815 Early in February, 1815, the first battalion moved
from Montreal to Upper Canada, where three companies
were stationed at Johnstown, and the remaining seven

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 85

‘hate quartered at the farmers’ houses along the St. Lawrence, 1815
fforts and scattered over a space of nearly twenty-eight miles.
But in May, these seven companies and head-quarters

litary were re-assembled in Fort Wellington. Peace having

tt, of been concluded with the Americans, early in June the

, and battalion marched to Montreal, and sailing down the
iward St. Lawrence in steam vessels to Quebec, it embarked

. algo, on the 8th in four transports for Europe.

ghout In the mean time the return of Buonaparte to France,
iority, in violation of the treaty of 1814, had rekindled the war

to ite on the continent, and the first battalion of the Firtu was
slotirs: immediately ordered to France. After touching at Ports-
Shanda mouth, it disembarked on the 11th of July at Ostend;

of the proceeded by the canal to Ghent, and marching from
ee thence to Paris, joined the British troops encamped at
Bubat St. Denis on the 24th of August, thus missing being
e 20th present at the glorious and decisive victory of Waterloo,
days, which, to a regiment, that had so conspicuously shared
= g on in all the peninsular campaigns, was at once a disap-
Ree pointment and a misfortune.

From Peace having again been concluded, an army of occu- 1816
amped pation was directed to remain in France for a few years ;
be etand and in January, 1816, the first battalion of the Firtu
'wenty- formed part. of the garrison of the fortified city of Valen-
al Sir ciennes; in July, August, and September it was en-
naaeehil camped in the vicinity of that town, but returned to Va-
atichind Jenciennes in October, and remained thére till the month
er, and of April, 1817, when it went to Bapaume and the adja- 1g)7
Ni aeeniz cent villages, and thence in July into camp at Cambray.
rita €6 In October it returned to Bapaume, and in June 1818, )g81¢
again joined the camp near Cambray, where the army
was reviewed by the allied sovereigns. In October the
first battalion of the FirtH marched to Calais, and

86 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1818 having embarked on the 3lst for England, landed at
Dover on the Ist of November, and marched for Win-
chester, where it arrived on the 10th of the same month.

In the mean time the second battalion, after recruiting
to nearly its full numbers, in Exeter barracks, marched
in November, 1813, to Chelmsford, and thence in the
following month to Windsor, where it remained till Oc-
tober, 1815, when it was ordered to Gosport, and was
there finally disbanded on the 24th of June, 1816.

1819 On the 4th of February, 1819, the regiment, now
reduced to one battalion, embarked at Portsmouth for
the West Indies; arrived on the 3rd of April in Carlisle
hay, Barbadoes, and sailed again on the 5th (after being
reviewed on the 4th by Lieutenant-General Lord Com-
bermere) for the following destinations, viz., five com-
panies and head-quarters to Antigua, four to St. Chris-
topher’s, and one company to Montserrat.

On the 10th of July, 1819, Lieutenant-General Wyn-
yard died, and on the 12th General Sir Henry Johnson,
Bart., G. C. B., was appointed Colonel of the Firtu.

1829 The regiment occupied the stations before mentioned,
182] until March, 1821, when five companies with head-
quarters were ordered to St. Vincent’s, three to Domi-
nica, and two to St. Lucia. On the 25th of October this
year, the establishment of the regiment was reduced

from ten to eight companies.
1822 After remaining on the above station until January,
1823 1824, two more companies with head-quarters were
1824 ordered to Dominica, and the remainder to St. Lucia.
The privilege which the corps for a long series of years
enjoyed, of wearing a distinguishing feather, was this
year confirmed to it by a letter from the Adjutant-Gene-
ral of the army, of which the following is a copy.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS,

87

“ Horse-Guarde, 2nd July, 1824. 1824

“ Sir,

“TI have had the honour to receive and submit to
“the Commander-in-Chief, your letter of 28th ultimo,
“and enclosure, and in reply am directed to signify to
‘* you, that under the circumstances therein stated, His
‘ Royal Highness has been pleased to approve of the
“ White Feather, which for a long series of years has
“ been worn as a mark of distinction by the Firtu Regi-
“ment of Foot, being continued to be used by that corps.

“ T have, &c.

for

rlisle (Signed) ‘ H. Torrens, Adj-Gen.
being “ Colonel Sir C. Parr, K.C. B.,

om- ** 5th Foot.”
com- On the 25th March, 1825, the regiment was aug- 1825

hris- mented from eight to ten companies.

In May, 1825, Colonels the Honourable Henry King,

yes C. B., and Sir Charles Pratt, K.C.B., who during the it
eon Peninsular war had led the corps in so many days of glory i
: and of victory, were promoted to the rank of Major- 1!
ioned, Generals in the army: Sir Charles Pratt had been at if
head- the head of one or other of the battalions since 1808, |
Jomi- and was succeeded in the command of the regiment
r this by Lieutenant-Colonel William Sutherland, from the
duced second West-India Regiment.

On the 16th of March, 1826, the head-quarters em- 1826

muarys barked at Dominica for England. The regiment landed

WENS at Portsmouth on the 12th and 22nd of April and 3rd
a. of June, according as the transports arrived : marched
veers in three divisions on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of June,
s this from Cumberland Fort, and arrived on the 29th, 30th,
Jene- and 31st, at Weedon, in Northamptonshire, where it was

joined on the 24th of July by the depdt, consisting of
four captains, four subalterns, one surgeon, one serjeant,

§6 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1826 and sixty-nine rank and file, from Tynemouth Castle.
The corps remained at Weedon during the remainder of
the year, and was joined during its stay in Northamp-
tonshire, by one hundred and fifty-six recruits from its
different recruiting parties.

1827 The Firtu regiment marched from Weedon barracks
in three divisions, on the Ist, 3rd, and 4th of January
1827, by route, to Hull, in Yorkshire, where it arrived
on the 10th, 12th, and 13th of the same month, de-
taching one company to Bradford, one to Halifax, and
on the 27th, one company to Brigg. ‘At Hull one hun-
dred and twenty-four men joined as recruits.

On the 28th and 2Yth of March, and 4th of April
the regiment marched from Hull and the detached
stations, and arrived on the 5th of April at Bolton, in
Lancashire, having one field-officer and three companies
detached at Blackburn, one company at Haslington, and
one company at Accrington. During its stay at Bolton,
the regiment received seventy-seven recruits from its
parties, &c., and arrived at its full establishment, having
recruited nearly five hundred men during the eleven
months which had elapsed since its return from the West
Indies.

On the 10th and 17th of September, the regiment
marched from Bolton, on route to Liverpool, and on
the 19th and 20th the detached companies marched into
Liverpool, in which town the regiment remained in billets
until the morning of the 25th, when it embarked on
board the “ Britannia” and the “ Birmingham” steam
vessels for Ireland, and landed on the 26th at Dublin,
where it was quartered in Richmond barracks. On the
15th of October it moved from the Richmond to the
Royal barracks, and there remained until it was ordered
to Athlone, for which station it marched on the Sth, 7th,

tle.
r of
p-
its

hcks
ary
ived
de-
and
un-

April
hed
, in
Anies
and
lton,
a its
ving
even

Vest

ment
1 on
into
lets
1 on
eam
blin,
. the
the
ered.

7th,

of January, 1829. On the 22nd of the same month, 1829

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 89

aud 17th of May, 1828, detaching one company to 1628
Shannon Bridge, from which a subaltern and twenty-five

men were sent to Tullamore, one company to Bally-
mahon, (sending small parties to Ballinacarrig and
Abbeyshrule,) and one company to Roscommon, having

a subaltern and thirty rank and file at Strokestown.
The detachment at Tullamore was ordered to head-
quarters on the 6th of July.

A party of one hundred men under Major Tovey,
marched from Athlone on the 6th of October to Shannon
Bridge, and remained there during the fair at Ballinasloe.
The detachment at Strokestown joined head-quarters on
the 18th of October, and was again sent out on the 26th

the company at Ballymahon was withdrawn, and joined
the head-quarters at Athlone.

The colours of the regiment having been worn out in
the course of its long and honourable service, a new set,
after being solemnly consecrated in St. Peter's Church
at Athlone, was presented on parade with the usual iy
ceremonies, and a suitable address by Major-General Sir |
Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C. B., commanding the Con-
naught district. The General was pleased on this occa-
sion to speak in the most flattering terms of the distin-
guished gallantry of the regiment in the field, and its
good and orderly conduct in quarters.

The regiment marched to Castlebar, in the county of
Mayo, on the 30th and 31st of March, 2nd, 3rd, 7th,
and 9th of April, detaching two companies to West-
port, under a field-officer; one company to Foxford,
sending a subaltern and eighteen rank and file to Bal-
laghadareen, and one company to Dunmore. On the
2nd of May, two companies proceeded, per route, to
Ballinrobe.

90 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1829 The distinction of wearing a white or grenadier fea-
ther, which the Firrn regiment had proudly won for
itself, having become extinct by the regulations of the
10th of February of this year (1829), which directed a
white feather to be worn by the whole of the infantry of
the army, rifle regiments and light infantry excepted,
the commanding officer (Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland)
lost no time in applying, through General Sir Henry
Johnson, Bart., G.C.B., the Colonel of the regiment, for
an equivalent; this was graciously conceded by his Ma-
jesty, George the Fourth, and the distinction of wearing a
feather different from the rest of the army, was continued
to the corps in the following handsome terms in a letter
from Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Taylor, G.C. H.:
Adjutant-General of the Forces.

“‘ Horse Guards, July 11, 1829.

« Sir,

«IT have had the honour to receive and lay before
“‘ the General Commanding-in-Chief your letter of the
“ 6th of May last, with its enclosures, representing the
“ anxiety felt by the officers and men of the Firtu regi-
“ ment, of which you are Colonel, to be allowed some
“ distinction, as an equivalent for that which the regi-
‘ment has lost in consequence of the regulations of the
“10th of February last, prescribing a white feather to be
‘‘worn by the whole of the infantry of the army, rifle
“‘ regiments and light infantry excepted.

‘On this occasion, Lord Hill commands me to say,
“ that his Lordship enters fully into the feclines of the
“ Firtu regiment, and adverting to the gal!aiir: 0° the
“‘ exploits which obtained for that corps 1.» o:.ginai dis-
“tinction, his Lordship has been pleased to submit to
‘“« His Majesty, that the FirTH regiment shall, in future,
“ wear a feather half red and half white, the red upper-

fore
the
the
egi-
me
egi-
the
be
‘ifle

ay,
the
the
lis-

to
ire,
er.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, 9]

“ most, instead of thie plain white feather worn by the 1829

rest of the army, as a peculiar mark of honour, where-
“ by its former services will still be commemorated, and
“a perpetual incitement be afforded to a continuance of
“its good conduct.
“ T have, &e,
(Signed) “ H. Tayzor, Adj.-Gen.

“ General Sir H. Johnson, Bart., G.C. B.

“ &e. &e.”

From Castlebar, Westport, and Foxford, the regiment
marched on the 10th and 11th of September, agreeably
to routes received, for Galway. Two companies, under
a field-officer, were stationed at Oughterard ; one com-
pany at Tuam, one at Ballinasloe, detaching one subal-
tern, one serjeant, and twenty rank and file to Mount
Shannon, and a similar party to Kinavara. The com-
pany at Dunmore did not move on this change of the
quarters of the regiment. On the 17th of November,
the detachment at Kinavara joined the company at Bul-
linasloe, and on the 5th of April, 1830, one company
from Oughterard proceeded to Banagher.

In August, 1830, whilst the regiment was stationed in
Galway, a general election took place, and the repre-
sentation of both the town and county was keenly con-
tested; during the fortnight the elections lasted, the
corps was constantly under arms and patrolling, and
performed the harassing duty of that period with so
much temper, conduct, and forbearance, that a public
meeting was held, composed of the most respectable
inhabitants of the town and its vicinity, including the
several candidates and their supporters, and the follow-
ing resolution, declaratory of their grateful sense of the
good conduct of the regiment unanimously passed :—

1830

t
I
ai
pp
ia
if
4
:
i

92 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1830 “‘ PL. SOLVED,

“ That having witnessed the prompt, active, and effi-
“‘ cient exertions of Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, the
‘« officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the
‘“‘ FirtH ReGimMEnt, in preserving peace and good order
« during the late contested election for the representation
«« of this town, we deem it an act of justice thus to put
*‘ upon public record the high value we entertain of their
‘ services ; and that our worthy chairman is requested to
‘‘ convey to the gallant Commander of our garrison this
“ expression of our warmest gratitude and thanks, and
“‘ we request he will convey these sentiments to the officers,
“ non-commissioned officers, and privates of the corps.”

It may not be irrelevant to mention, that the Firtu
RecimentT has always been remarkable for the good
feeling that has subisted between it and the inhabitants
of the different stations at which it has been quartered.

The regiment being ordered to Cork, the head-quar-
ters and detachments marched from their respective sta-
tions on the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd of October,
and on the 26th it was countermanded to Buttevant
barracks, where the several divisions arrived on the 27th,
28th, and 29th of the same month.

1831 A detachment was furnished by the corps to Mitchels-
town on the lth of February, 1831, and being removed
on the 2nd of May to Galbally, it rejoined at Buttevant
on the 15th of June,

On the 14th of March, the head-quarters, with four

companies,—and on the 16th, four more companies,
marched per route to Clare Castle, where they arrived

to preserve order during the Clare election on the 17th
and 19th, detaching one company to Kilrush, one to
Corrofin, and subalterns’ parties to Kildysart, Quinn,
Kilkeshan, and Six Mile Bridge. The head-quarters

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 93

marched to Ennis on the 30th of March; and the de- 1831

tachments at Quinn, Kilkeshan, and Six Mile Bridge,
to the same place on the 6th of April. On the 5th of
May the head-quarters returned to Buttevant, leaving
eight companies detached in various directions (some
being afterwards encamped) in the county of Clare, which
was then, and had for some months been, in a very dis-
turbed state —in fact, bordering on open rebellion. A
small party of fifteen, half military (of the Firt) and
half police, who were almost. unarmed, having only a
pistol and five rounds of ammunition each (being em-
ployed on a particular service), were attacked on the
morning of the 8th of May, by some hundreds of the
turbulent peasantry of the parish of Clondegad, in the
county of Clare, and, in the course of a running fight,
which was bravely sustained by these few men for several
miles, Colour-Serjeant James Robinson of the grena-
dier company, was basely and barbarously murdered.
His remains were buried at Ennis, and a handsome tomb
with an appropriate inscription, placed over them by the
regiment.

While the counties of Clare and Galway were in this
disturbed state many of the magistrates declined to act.
Under these circumstances, Lieutenant-Colonel Tovey and
Captains McDonald and Spence, of the Firtu regiment,
were selected as gentlemen in whose firmness, prudence,
and discretion, the Government could confide, and they
received Commissions of the Peace for the above counties.
The judicious conduct of those gentlemen as magistrates
reflected credit on the regiment; their exertions were fol-
lowed by happy results ;—the two counties became tran-
quil, and the inhabitants returned to their peaceful and
industrious habits *.

* On the 21st May, 1831, Captain Spence (being a magistrate)

4 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1831 On the 20th of September these companies were all
concentrated at Buttevant ; and a letter conveying the
high sense entertained by Major-General Sir Thomas
Arbuthnot of the good conduct of the regiment, of which
the following is a copy, was received with the notification
of their march from Clare :—

“ Ennis, September 6th, 1831.

« Sir,

“In transmitting you the annexed notification of
“the arrival at Buttevant of several of your detachments
“from Clare, I am directed by Major-General Sir
« Thomas Arbuthnot to express to you the very great
“« pleasure he feels in having to assure you, that both the
“ officers and men of the FirtH Reciment performed

“their duty, under most trying circumstances, during
‘ the disturbances in this county, to his perfect satisfac-
* tion in every respect.
« T have, &c.
(Signed) « W. Vincent, Lt.-Col., A.Q.M.G.

*¢ Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland,
** Commanding Firrx Foor.”

On the 16th of September, orders were received at

Buttevant to hold the six service companies in readi-

was directed to proceed with his company to Ki/fenora, by the
following letter ; viz. :-—
“ Ennis, 2\st May, 1831.
“ Sir,
‘*I am desired by Major-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot to
“ acquaint you, that as it is very desirable to havea magistrate
“ stationed at Ke//enora, and as, moreover, he was extremely
“pleased with your zeal and exertions, while in command of a
“ post, he has directed Lieutenant-Colonel Tovey to send your
‘‘ Company to Kilfenora, having every expectation that your ser-
“ vices there will prove of much benefit to the country.
“ T have, &e.
(Signed) “W. Vincent, Lt.-Col., A.Q.M.G.
** To Captain Spence, Firtx Foor.”

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 95

ness to embark for Gibraltar, and in consequence, the 1881
reserve, or depdt, was with great promptitude formed on

the same day. On the 23rd the regiment was reviewed by
Lieutenant-General Sir Hussey Vivian, K.C.B., Com-
mander of the Forces in Ireland ; and on the 29th it was
inspected by Major-General Sir George Bingham, K.C.B.,
commanding the district, when both these distinguished
officers expressed their unqualified approbation of its
appearance, movements, and interior economy.

The reserve marched on the 7th of November to Fer-
moy, being destined to remain for the present in Ireland,
which continued in a very disturbed state; and the service
companies moved to Cork towards the end of the month,
and there embarked under the command of Lieutenant-
Colonel Sutherland, on the 29th of November and 5th
and 6th of December, on board the “ Marquis of Hunt-
ley,” (head-quarters,) “‘ William Harris,” and “Sylvia,”
transports; sailed from Cove on the 26th of December,
arrived in the bay of Gibraltar, after a very quick but
boisterous passage, on the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, and dis-
embarked on the 9th, 10th, and 12th of January, 1832, 1832
to do duty in that far-famed fortress.

Previous to the embarkation of the Firtx from Ire-
land, the circumstance of the regiment having an “Order
of Merit,” a privilege established in this regiment in the
year 1767 (as explained in page 37), attracted the atten-
tion, and elicited the representations, of the local military
authorities, The commanding officer, after the arrival at
Gibraltar, was in consequence called upon by the General
Commanding-in-Chief, Lord Hill, to explain under what
regulations and arrangements the Order was conferred,
candidates selected, medals provided and distributed, and

other particulars connected with this most laudable insti-

tution. The required information was promptly afforded,

96 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1832 proved satisfactory, and the following gratifying letter
was the result, viz. :—

“© Horse-Guards, 20th June, 1832.

« Sir,

«‘T have had the honour to submit to the General
« Commanding-in-Chief, your letter of the 4th instant,
“with its enclosure, on the subject of the ‘ Order of
“«« Merit’ existing inthe Firtn Foot, and am directed to
“‘ acquaint you, that the explanation afforded by Lieu-
“‘ tenant-Colonel Sutherland, shows that the order in
** question is dispensed under the most laudable regu-
‘‘Jations, and has been productive of the best effects,
“during the long period since its original establishment

“in the regiment.

« It is considered highly desirable, however, that both
“© officer and soldier should, under all circumstances, be
« taught to expect professional honours from the sovereign

« alone; and under this impression, Lord Hill has been
‘induced to recommend to the king to give the royal
“authority for the confirmation and continuance of this
“regimental Badge of distinction, an arrangement,
«which, while it bestows upon it legitimate existence,
« will, at the same time, no doubt, enhance its value in
«« the estimation of those on whom it is conferred.
«You will, therefore, be pleased to communicate this
« decision to Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, and ac-
“quaint him, that he is at liberty to proceed in the
« distribution of the medals and badges as heretofore.
« T have, &c.
(Signed) « Joun Macponatp,
«« Adjutant General.

<* Lieutenant-General
* Sir William Houstoun, G.C.B., and G.C.H.,
&e. &e. &e.,

“ Commanding at Gibraltar.”

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

97

The ‘* Order of Merit,” which has been so long held 1832

ptter
by the regiment, consecrated and enhanced by purity
and justice of distribution, and the real worth of the
Ba, meritorious though humble individuals who earn so
honourable a mark of good conduct, and brightened
eral by the numerous distinguished services of the Firtu Re-
ant, GIMENT since its foundation, is thus confirmed by the
r of ‘ sanction of the Sovereign, the legitimate fount of honour,
ed to distinction, and reward.
aa On the 27th of July, in this year (1832), the reserve
piers companies of the regiment marched from Fermoy to
oo Kilmallock, and in August to Bruff, where they con-
oe tinued until the 24th of January, 1833, when they pro- 1833
ent eeeded to Nenagh: and from thence, in October to
Templemore.
both On the night of the 24th of April, 1833, whilst at Gib-
Se raltar, the roof of the Line Wall House, in which were
ee the mess-rooms and the quarters of Lieutenant-Colonel
been Sutherland, suddenly burst out into an immense blaze
roy al of fire, in consequence of one of the wooden wall-plates,
f this which had been carelessly built into the flue of a chim-
melt, ney, imperceptibly igniting the joists, lathing, couples,
oes and lining of the roof over the ceiling: from the quan-
ean tity of timber used in its construction, the house burni
; with such fierceness and rapidity, that the ceilings of the
: this rooms, almost instantly falling in, it was found impossible,
I ac- notwithstanding the utmost exertions of the garrison, to
| the save even the colours of the regiment, which were thus
ne unfortunately, although accidentally, consumed.
In June and July, 1834, that scourge, the cholera, 1834
attacked the garrison with such violence that the Firru
eral.

lost. one officer, two serjeants, one drummer, forty-one
ptivates, three women, and four children, in all fifty-two
souls, some of the former being among the finest and
H

98 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1834 best-conducted young men in the regiment, whilst it may
be mentioned, as a somewhat singular fact, that during
the whole period of its ravages, not one case of cholera
occurred in the Provost prison, at that time crowded
with the most dissipated characters of the garrison, al-
though it raged in the Artillery barracks, and the civil
habitations in its immediate vicinity—an undeniable proof

of the efficacy of abstemiousness and temperance, even
though forced, on such occasions.

In the autumn of this year, the regiment having re-
ceived orders to be prepared for removal to Malta, on
the eve of embarkation the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir
William Houstoun, G.C.B. and G.C.H., expressed his
approbation of its conduct whilst under his command, in
the following flattering terms :—

“ Head-Quarters, Gibraltar,
GARRISON ORDERS. 14th October, 1834.

No. 1. “ His Excellency, the Lieutenant-General
« Commanding, cannot suffer the FirtH REGIMENT to
“embark from hence, without expressing his approval
“of the general conduct of this corps, during the period
“it has been under his command in this garrison, and
«he desires to offer his thanks to the officers, non-com-
‘‘ missioned officers, and privates of this regiment, and
“ yaore particularly, he begs to acknowledge his sense of
«‘ the zealous and constant exertions of Lieutenant-Colo-
«nel Sutherland, which have so essentially contributed
‘to maintain the discipline and good order of the corps
« under his command.”

The regiment embarked in His Majesty’s troop ship,
« Romney,” on the 15th October,—sailed on the next
day,—and anchored on the 26th, after a very stormy
passage, in the harbour of Valetta, under those stupen-

tar,

oneral
INT to
roval
eriod
1, and
-com-
t, and
nse of
‘Colo-
buted
corps

» ship,
» next.
tormy
upen-

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, 99

dous fortifications which had been rendered famous by 1834

the prowess of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, and
had for some generations been designated by the proud
title of “the Bulwarks of Christendom :’—it disem-
barked without any accident or casualty on the 27th of
the same month,—and for a short time occupied Fort
Manoel.

The colour of the regimental facings was this year
authorized by the subjoined letter to be changed to a
handsome and lively green, viz. :—

“ Horse-Guards, 30th June, 1824.

¢ Sir,

“ With reference to the correspondence that has
‘taken place respecting the Colour of the Facing of the
‘« Firta Regiment or Foot, of which you are Colonel,
‘‘T have now the honour to acquaint you, that the
‘‘ Colour of the pattern exhibited by Lieutenant-Colonel
‘¢ Sutherland, with your sanction, has been approved by
“‘the King, and the General Commanding-in-Chief
‘ desires that the clothing of the regiment for the en-
‘‘ suing year may therefore be prepared accordingly.
«« T have, &c.
(Signed) « Joun Macponacp,
«« Adjutant-General.
‘« General Sir Henry Johnson, Bt., and G.C.B.
‘* Colonel of the Firtn Foor.”

In September of this year (1834) the reserve com-
panies marched from Templemore to Cork, where they
remained ten months.

General Sir Henry Johnson, Bart., G.C.B., having
died on the 18th of March, 1835, at a very advanced
age, was succeeded in the Colonelcy of the regiment, on
the 25th of the same month, by Licutenant-General the
H 2

1835

iw 6 Aa ae aN NRO REFERER I I a

100 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1835 Honourable Sir Charles Colville, G.C.B. and G.C.H.,
who with much distinction, and especially in the affair
at El] Bodon, commanded the brigade in which the
FirtH served during a considerable period of the Penin-
sular war.

New colours having been received early this year to
replace those accidentally consumed with the Line Wall
House at Gibraltar, as before narrated, Major-General
Sir Frederick Ponsonby, K.C.B., the Lieutenant-Go-
vernor, was requested to present them, but, a qucstion
having arisen relative to an additional banner * which the
regiment had long carried, the subject was, after some
discussion and correspondence, submitted to the decision
of His Majesty, whose commands and pleasure on this
head will be found in the following letter: —

“ Horse-Guards, 31st July, 1835.

« Sir,

“T have the honour to acknowledge the receipt
“< of your letter, dated 4th April last, which I have laid
“ before the General Commanding-in-Chief, and by his
*«* Lordship’s command the same has been submitted to
“ the King.

“In reply to which, I am directed to acquaint you,
«that His Majesty considers it quite contrary to the
“established regulations, for any regiment to bear a
“ third Colour, and on that ground he cannot consent to
“<a flag or banner, which is stated to have been borne

*The Firtu regiment for many years carried a small green
silk banner, ‘nscribed with the badge, motto, number, and de-
signation of the corps, at the head of the regiment, amidst the
corps of band and drummers. This distinction is supposed to
have originated from the battle of Wilhelmsthal, where the regi-
ment took the colours of the French grenadiers—as stated at
page 34.

FIPNTH REGIMENT OF LOOT (NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS), MDCCC XXXV.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 10]

‘by the Firth Reciment since the year 1762, and
‘‘ which was accidentally destroyed by a fire at Gibraltar
“ on the 24th of April, 1833, being replaced.

“ His Lordship has received the King’s commands to
** direct it to be made known to the officers and men
‘©of the Firrn Reciment, that His Majesty has the
‘‘ strongest reason to be satisfied with the general con-
‘duct of the regiment, and, although His Majesty feels
“that he cannot comply with the request made on this
€ occasion, by authorizing the additional flag, or banner,
‘‘ being retained by the corps, which, it must be stated,
‘‘ has never been sanctioned either by the Royal warrant
*‘ of the 19th of December, 1768, or by any subsequent
“ grant, yet his Majesty is desirous of conferring a mark
“ of distinction on the regiment, which shall tend to
*‘ perpetuate the record of its services at Wilhelmsthal
«in June, 1762: with this view his Majesty has com-
“‘ manded, that the regiment shall be distinguished by

“wearing grenadier caps, with the King’s Cipher,
« W. R. IV., in the front, and the ancient badge of the
“ regiment, vz. St. George killing the Dragon, on the
“«< back part.

«© T have, &c.
(Signed) «© Joun MacpdonaLp,
« Adjutant General.
« Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland,
** Commanding the Firtn Regiment, Malta.”

The reserve companies embarked from Cork on the
Ist of August, 1835, and proceeded to Dover, where they
passed the succeeding fifteen months, and in October,
1836, marched to Gosport.

His Majesty King William IV. having been pleased,
in 1836, to approve of the corps being equipped as Fusi-
liers, and designated the “ FirrH Reeiment or Foor,

102 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1836 on NORTHUMBERLAND Fustuiers;” commissioned the
Ensigns as second Lieutenants accordingly, and gave his
Royal permission that the word * WiILHELMSTHAL,” in
commemoration of the field on which it originally took
its grenadier caps from the enemy, should be borne on its
colours and appointments, as will appear by the sub-
joined copies of letters.

“Horse- Guards, 4th of May, 1836.
« Sir,
‘* T have the honour to acquaint you, by direction
‘‘ of the General Commanding-in-Chief, that his Majesty
‘has been graciously pleased to approve of the Firrn
‘© orn NORTHUMBERLAND Reciment or Foor, being in
‘future equipped as a Fusilier Regiment, and being
* styled the Fier Reciment oF Foor, or Nortuum-
‘ BERLAND Fusiuirrs.
“T have, &e.
(Signed) ‘* Jon Macponap,
« Adjutant-General.
“ Officer commanding the Fifth Regiment of Foot,
‘* or Northumberland Fusiliers.”

“ Horse-Guards, 14th of May, 1836.

« Sir,

“| have the honour to acquaint you, by direc-
‘tion of the General Commanding-in-Chief, that his
‘Majesty has been graciously pleased to permit the
* FirtH Regiment or Foot, or NORTHUMBERLAND
‘* Fusitiers, to bear on its colours and appointments,
‘in addition to any other badges or devices which may
‘* have heretofore been authorized, the word ‘ WILHELM-
“ STHAL, in commemoration of the gallantry displayed
‘by the regiment while serving with the allied army,
‘under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, at the battle of

ral.

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, 103

‘¢ in the capture of a great number of prisoners belong-
‘ing to the grenadiers of France, and the regiment
d’Aquitaine, in the woods of ‘ WILHELMSTHAL.’
“ T have, &ec.
(Signed) ** Joun Macpona.p,
Adjutant-General.

** Officer commanding Fifth Foot,
“ or Northumberland Fusiliers,
“ Malta.”

* Groebenstein, on the 24th of June, 1762, particularly 1996

On the 14th of December, 1836, the Governor of
Malta, Major-General Sir Henry Bouverie, presented
the new colours to the regiment, drawn up for the pur-
pose in review order on the Florian Parade.

His Excellency, on arriving in front of the line, was
received with a general salute, the band playing and
drums beating, after which the company on the right
flank closed ranks, and was marched by its Captain in
quick time (the band playing the grenadier’s march) to
the point in the front of the line, where the new colours
were stationed, under a guard, and an escort of colour-
serjeants ; on arriving at which the company was halted,
its ranks opened, and the colours, which appeared for
the first time displayed, were saluted with presented
arms, the music playing “God save the King.”

The march was then resumed in open order, and the
colours escorted in slow time towards the left flank of

the line, and thence to their appointed station in front of

the centre, whilst the band and escort filed through the
ranks to their posts on the right; the colours were re-
ceived by a general salute from the regiment ; arms were
then shouldered, three sides of a square, open to the
front, formed, and the service of consecration read in a

104 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

1836 most appropriate and impressive manner by the Rev.
J. T. H. Le Mesurier, Chaplain to the Forces; the
children of both sexes of the soldiers of the regiment,
attired in uniform suits of new clothes that had lately
been presented to them, repeating the responses.

Prayers being ended, His Excellency Sir Henry
Bouverie handed the colours to the Lieutenants, under
a general salute from the square, and then addressed the
regiment in nearly the following terms :—

“ Officers and Soldiers of the Firtu Fusiliers,

‘* T am happy that it has fallen to my lot to present
“to you these colours. I do it in the full confidence
“ that they wili never be disgraced by insubordination, by
‘loss of discipline, or misconduct in garrison, or in the
“ field.

“The glorious deeds which are recorded in your
“ annals, and inscribed upon these colours, will serve to
‘incite in you the determination to equal them; to
“ surpass them I believe to be impossible.

“The inspection, which I shall this day finish, of your
“ regiment, will, I have no doubt, furnish me with the
“ opportunity of reporting my entire satisfaction with
‘‘ the interior economy and management of the regiment,
“as well as with your movements in the field; and I
“trust that I shall never have occasion to alter the high
“opinion I have formed of you, not only here, but in
“scenes on service, of which [ was myself a witness.”

His Excellency having concluded his appropriate
address, Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland replied to the
following purport.

‘«« Permit me, Sir, on behalf of myself and the regiment,
** to return our best thanks for the very kind and flat-

OR, NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 105

ev. ‘tering terms in which you have been pleased to pre- 1836

he “sent these colours. It must be a great additional i
nt, “source of gratification to all ranks to receive so ho- ii
‘ly “ nourable a charge from the hand of a distinguished

‘« officer, who, having personally witnessed the regiment

ry ‘in conflict with the enemy, can therefore duly ap-
ler ‘« preciate its conduct; and this will doubtless prove a
he ‘* strong incitement to such a discharge of their duty,

‘‘ whenever they may have the good fortune to be simi-
‘larly circumstanced, as will emulate those deeds to
‘‘ which your Excellency has so handsomely alluded.”

nt

ce

by The square was then reduced, and his Excellency

he having rode down the line, ranks were closed, open co-
lumn formed, and the review commenced by marching

ioe : past in slow and quick time, and in column at quarter

ae distance. The manual and platoon exercises (the latter
also kneeling as light infantry) were then performed,

: under the orders of Brevet Major Johnson, after which
the Lieutenant-Colonel put the regiment through a

ue variety of manceuvres and firings, in close, extended, and

ihe skirmishing order, of which his Excellency expressed his

un unqualified approbation.

mM In the evening his Excellency dined with the officers

of the regiment at the mess, where a large party of about
igh fifty persons, consisting of Vice-Admiral Sir Josias
Rowley, the Captains of the squadron, commanding
officers of corps, heads of departments, and staff, was
ate assembled to meet him.

he On the following Sunday the colours were, according
to custom on such occasions, taken with the regiment to
church; when the duties of soldiers, both as men and
Christians, were inculeated by the chaplain to the forces
in the most impressive manner.

o 106 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

t

18837. The regiment embarked from Malta on the 28th of
March, 1837, and arrived on the 4th of April following
at Corfu, where it has continued until the end of the
year 1837, which brings this memoir to a conclusion.

The foregoing pages show that the FirtH REGIMENT
or Foot, ok NorTHUMBERLAND FusiuiErs, has pre-
served by its conduct in time of peace, untarnished, the
laurels which it has acquired in war. Soon after its
formation it availed itself of the opportunities which
then occurred of acquiring a reputation for gallantry in
action; and, under the influence of zealous officers and
an excellent esprit de corps, it has conducted itself, in
the various situations in which it has been placed during
a period of more than one hundred and sixty years,
so as to preserve its character and acquire additional
honour. The distinctions which have, from time to time,
been conferred on this corps, show the estimation in
which its services are held:—the inscriptions which it

bears on its colours are memorials of its gallantry in

battles and sieges, where the British troops have ac-
quired never-fading laurels, and have elevated the mili-
tary character of their country, to the admiration of the
nations of Europe.

The Compiler of the Records of the Army feels it his duty to
state, that Colonel Sutherland, of the Firrn Foor, or Nortuum-
BERLAND FusiLtERs, has evinced great zeal and devotedness in
procuring information on all subjects in which the honour of his
regiment is concerned and furnished a statement of its services
which has facilitated the preparation of this narrative for publica-
tion. The most effective assistance has also been afforded by
Captain John Spence, of the same regiment, in the completion of
this memoir.

FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT (NORTBUMBERLAND FOSILIERS), M DCCC XXVIII. ( To face page 106.

osteitis

ern tenner

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 107

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF THE
FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

OR

NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

DANIEL VISCOUNT OF CLARE,
Appointed in 1674.

Danie, O’Brien was one of the distinguished loyalists who
attended King Charles If. during the period His Majesty was
in exile on the continent, and he obtained at the Restoration
the title of Viscount of Clare for his grandfather, who had
frequently given proofs of his loyalty and attachment to his
King, in the reign of Charles I. Daniel, the third Viscount
of Clare, succeeded to the title in 1670, and having pro-
ceeded to Holland, after the treaty of London, in 1674, he
obtained the Colonelcy of the Firra Foor, then newly raised ;
but, being afterwards charged with holding a treasonable cor-
respondence with the French, he relinquished his commission
and returned to Ireland.

After the Revolution in 1688, the Viscount of Clare dis-
played great zeal in the cause of King James,—having raised

two Irish regiments of foot and one of dragoons for the service
of that unhappy monarch ; he was also a member of the Privy
Council in Ireland, and Lord-Lieutenant of the county of
Clare. He served under King James at the battle of the
Boyne, in 1690: and died in the same year.

THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

JOHN FENWICK,
Appointed 2nd August, 1615.

Joun Fenwick was many years an officer of the Queen’s
troop (now Second Regiment) of Life Guards, in the reign of
Charles II., and he served under the Duke of Monmouth in
the campaigns of 1672 and 1673. In the succeeding year
he obtained permission to proceed to Holland, and in 1675
he was appointed to the Colonelcy of the Firta Foot, re-
taining, at the same time, his commission of Guidon and
Major in the Life Guards.* A‘ter his recovery of a wound
received during the siege of Maestricht, some angry expres-
sions occur¢ed between him andthe Prince of Orange, when
he quitted the Dutch service, returned to England, and re-
sumed his duties in the Life Guards; and shortly afterwards
he succeeded to the dignity of a Baronet.

In 1678 Sir John Fenwick was promoted to the rank of
Brigadier-General, and appointed Colonel of a newly-raised re-
giment of foot, which was disbanded after the peace of Nime-
guen. He was subsequently governor of Holy Island, one of
the Inspecting-Generals of cavalry, and a member of Parlia-
ment for the county of Northumberland: and in 1687 he was
promoted from the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Queen’s troop
of Life Guards, to the Colonelcy of the Fourth regiment of
Horse, now Third Dragoon Guards, from which he was re-
moved by the Prince of Orange at the Revolution in 1688.
In 1695 he engaged in a conspiracy to raise an insurrection in
behalf of King James, for which he was apprehended and
brought te trial before the Parliament. No direct proof of
his guilt could be produced, yet a bill of attainder for high
treason was passed against him; and he was beheaded on
Tower Hill on the 28th of January, 1697.

HENRY WISELY.
Appointed 11th September, 1676.

Henry Wisety was an Officer of repute in the Dutch ser-

* War-Office Records,

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 109

vice, and his meritorious conduct was rewarded with the
Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Firts. After the resignation of
Colonel (afterwards Sir John) Fenwick, he was promoted, at
the recommendation of the Frince of Orange, to the Colonelcy
of the regiment, by commission from the States-General of
Holland dated the 11th of September, 1676. He served with
his regiment against the French until the peace of Nime-
guen, acquiring, by his zealous exertions on all occasions, the
character of a good officer. He was drowned on his pussage
to England in the winter of 1680.

THOMAS MONK,
Appointed 10th December, 1680.

Tuts Orrtcer also served with distinction under the Prince
of Orange, and was advanced to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of
Sir Henry Bellasis’ regiment (now Sixth Foot), from which
he was promoted to the Colonelcy of the Fiera in December,
1680; but his death appears to have occurred before he ac-
quired any higher rank.

THOMAS TOLLEMACHE,
Appointed 9th October, 1688.

Tuomas ToLLeMAcuE (or Talmash), son of Lionel third Earl
of Dysart, was an officer in the English army in the reign of
King Charles II., and in January, 1678, he obtained the rank
of Captain in the Second Foot Guards. In March of the same
year he yas appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of Lord Arlington’s
newly-raised regiment, which was disbanded after the peace
of Nimeguen. He was afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel of the
First Foot Guards; but subsequently entering the Dutch
service, he was promoted to the Colonelcy ofthe Firru in
October, 1688; from which he was removed to the Colonelcy
of the Second Foot Guards in May following. He was
advanced to the rank of Major-General in December, 1690;
and to that of Lieutenant-General in January, 1692. He
commanded an expedition to the coast of France in the sum-

110 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

mer of 1694, was wounded at Cameret Bay on the 8th of
June, and died on the 12th at Plymouth.

EDWARD LLOYD,
Appointed 1st May, 1689.

Epwarp Luoyp became proficient in the duties of his pro-
fession in active service under the Prince of Orange, who
promoted him to the Colonelcy of the Fiera Foor in May,
1689. While serving with his regiment in Ireland, and in
the Netherlands, he acquired the confidence and esteem of
his superior officers, and he had every prospect of rising to
high military rank ; but his mortal career was terminated by
death on the 26th of August, 1694.

THOMAS FAIRFAX,
Appointed 6th November, 1694.

Tuts Orricer, after a progressive service in the subordinate
ranks, obtained, on the 8th of March, 1689, the Lieutenant-
Colonelcy of Lord Castleton’s regiment, from which he was
promoted by King William III., in November, 1694, to the
Colonelcy of the Firra Foor. He served with his regiment
in Flanders, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General
in 1696, and commanded a brigade of infantry during the

campaign of the following year. He was removed from the
Firta in 1703, was afterwards promoted to the rank of
Major-General ; and died on the 6th of January, 1710.

THOMAS PEARCE,
Appointed 5th February, 1104.

Tuomas Pearce obtained the commission of Ensign in a
regiment of Foot on the 28th of February, 1689; and in
October, 1694, he was appointed Captain of the Grenadier
Company in the Second Foot Guards. He served at the
siege of Namur in 1695, and, being engaged in storming the
covered-way on the night of the 8th of July, he advanced, in

OR NORTHUMBERLAND) FUSILIERS. lll

the heat of the conflict, too far in front of his men, and was
wounded and taken prisoner.

In 1702 he served under the Duke of Ormond in the ex-
pedition to Cadiz; and, -* manding a brigade of Grenadiers
at the storming of the forts of Vigo, he was wounded in the
thigh by acannon-ball. His gallantry was rewarded on the
10th of April in the following year with the Colonelcy of a
newly-raised Irish regiment of Foot;* from which he was
removed to the Firrn, on the 5th of February, 1704. He
was promoted on the Ist of January, 1707, to the rank of
Brigadier-General, and, proceeding with his regiment to
Portugal, he highly distinguished himself at the head of a
brigade of infantry at the battle of Caya in 1709, and was
taken prisoner. He was shortly afterwards exchanged for a
French Brigadier-General, and on his return to England he
was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He was further
promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General on the 5th of
March, 1727; and in 1732 he was removed to the Colonelcy
of the Fifth Horse, now Fourth Dragoon Guards. He was
several years a member of Parliament for Melcomb Regis,
and died in 1739.

JOHN COPE,
Appointed 15th December, 1732.
Tus Orricer entered the army in the reign of Queen Anne,
and was several years Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second
troop of Horse Grenadier Guards. He obtained the rank of
Colonel in the army on the 15th of November, 1711 ; and was
promoted to the Colonelcy of the Thirty-ninth Foot on the
10th of November, 1730, from which he was removed to the
Fietn Foot on the 15th of December, 1732. In 1735 he
obtained the rank of Brigadier-General; in 1737 he was
removed to the Ninth Dragoons; and on the 2nd of July,
1739, he was advanced to the rank of Major-General. He
was several years on the staff of Ireland, and, after having

* This regiment was disbanded in 1711.

112 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

heen removed to the Colonelcy of the Seventh Dragoons in
1741, he proceeded in the summer of 1742 to Flanders with
the army commanded by Field Marshal the Earl of Stair. In
the beginning of the following year he was promoted to the
rank of Licutenant-General ; and, having signalized himself
at the battle of Dettingen under the eye of his sovereign, he
was constituted a Knight of the Bath.

— In 1745 Sir John Cope was Commander-in-Chief in
Scotland, and a small body of troops under his immediate
command were defeated by the Highlanders under the Young
Pretender at Preston Pans; which unfortunate circumstance
enabled the rebels to penetrate into England and advance as
far as Derby. He retained the Colonelcy of the Seventh
Dragoons until his decease in 1760.

ALEXANDER IRWIN,
Appointed 21th June, 1134.

ALEXANDER IRWIN commenced his military career as Ensign
on the Ist of October, 1689, and, after serving the crown
nearly forty-eight years in various parts of Europe, he was
promoted to the Colonelcy of the Firra Foot, by commission
dated 2th of June, 1737. He was promoted to the rank of
Major-General on the 24th of February, 1744; he was subse-
quently on the Staff of Ireland, and also held the appoint-
ment of Lieutenant-Governor of Kinsale. He was further
advanced to the rank of Lieutenant-General in 1748, and died
four years afterwards.

CHARLES WHITEFORD,
Appointed 25th November, 1152.

Cuar.es Wuirerorp entered the army as Cornet on the 3rd
of May, 1720; and on the 27th of April, 1741, he was pro-
moted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Fifth regiment of
Marines, with which corps he served several years on the con-
tinent of America and in the West India islands. In 1752
King George II. conferred the Colonelcy of the Firta Foot

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, 113

on Colonel Whiteford, who did not long enjoy the promotion ;
his decease having occurred in the summer of 1754.

LORD GEORGE BENTINCK,
Appointed 20th of August, 1154.

Lorp Grorce Bentinck, second son of Henry first Duke of
Portland, received the appointment of Ensign on the 3rd of
November, 1735; and having been promoted on the 12th of
April, 1743, to the command of a company in the First Foot
Guards with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, he served at the
battle of Dettingen in June of the same year. He obtained
the appointment of Aide-de-camp to the King on the 17th
of March, 1752; and the Colonelcy of the Firra Foor, in
August, 1754. He was afterwards promoted to the rank of
Major-General ; and died at Bath on the 2nd of March, 1759.

STUDHOLME HODGSON,
Appointed 24th of October, 1759.

SrupHoimE Honaeson, after serving several years in the army,
was appointed, in 1745, Aide-de-camp to the Duke of Cumber-
land, whom he attended at the battles of Fontenoy and Cullo-
den. He obtained the command of a company, with the
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, in the First Foot Guards, on the
22nd of February, 1747; and on the 30th of May, 11756, he
was promoted to the Colonelcy of the Fiftieth Foot. He
obtained the rank of Major-General on the 25th of June»
1759; and was removed to the Colonelcy of the Firtu. Foor
in October of the same year. In 1761 he was advanced to
the rank of Lieutenant-General, and he commanded the land
forces of a successful expedition against Belle-Isle in the
same year, for which he obtained the approbation of the
King, and was appointed, in 1165, Governor of Forts George
and Augustus. In 1768 he was removed to the Fourth Foot ;
in 1778 he was promoted to the rank of General; and in
1782 he was removed to the Colonelcy of the Fourth Irish
Horse, now Seventh Dragoon Guards. He was again removed,
1

114 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

in 1789, to the Eleventh ight Dragoons, and on the 30th of
July, 1796, he was promoted to the rank of Field-Marshal.
He enjoyed this elevated rank two years, and died in the au-
tumn of 1798, at the advanced age of ninety years.

HUGH EARL PERCY,
Appointed "ith November, 1168.

Eart Percy entered the army at an early age, and was first
engaged in actual warfare under the Duke of Brunswick
during the seven years’ war in Germany. He obtained the
rank of Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel in the First Foot
Guards, on the 17th of April, 1762; and was promoted on
the Ith of November, 1768, to the Colonelcy of the Firrn
Foor, the command of which corps he retained nearly six-
teen years, displaying, during that period, such distinguished
military virtues, with a kind liberality, and a constancy of
attention to, and interest in, the welfare and credit of the
regiment, as endeared his name in the grateful remem-
brance of the officers and men. His Lordship communded a
brigade in America, and distinguished himself in the retreat
from Lexington to Boston, and in the storming of Fort Wash-
ington near New York. In 1784 he was promoted to the
Colonelcy of the Second troop of Horse Grenadier Guards ; and
succeeded, in 1786, to the dignity of Duxe or Nortuum-
BERLAND. In 1788 the Second troop of Horse Grenadier
Guards was incorporated in the Second Regiment of Life
Guards; and in 1806 his Grace was appointed to the Colo-
nelcy of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, which he re-
signed in 1812. The decease of this respected nobleman
occurred in 1817.

THE HONOURABLE EDWARD STOPFORD,
Ap) ointed 1st November, 1784.

Tuts Orricer entered the army as Ensign in the Twenty-
ninth regiment on the 16th of December, 170, and, having
attained the rank of Captain, he was promoted on the 17th

y~

h

of January, 1760, to the Majority of the Seventy-sixth regi-

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS,

a)

ment. On the 3rd of October, 1766, he obtained the Lieu-
tenant-Colonelcy of the Sixty-sixth regiment, with which
corps he served several years in Jamaica, and was promoted to
the rank of Major-General in 1782. In 1784 King George
III. conferred the Colonelcy of the Firra Foor on Major-
General Stopford, who retained this appuintment until his
decease in 1794.

SIR ALURED CLARKE, G.C.B.,
Appointed 25th October, 1794.
Aturep CiarkeE entered the army on the 20th of March,
1755, as Ensign in the Fiftieth regiment of Foot ; he obtained
the rank of Lieutenant in 1760; and his regiment proceeding
to Germany in the same year, he served during the remainder
of the seven years’ war with the army commanded by Ferdi-
nand Duke of Brunswick. On the 7th of January, 167, he
obtained the command of a company in the Firtn Foot. He
was promoted to the Majority of the Fifty-fourth regiment
in 1771; and to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Seventh
Fusiliers on the 10th of March, 1777. He served with his
regiment in America, during the war with the United States ;
and was promote | to the rank of Colonel on the 16th of May,
1781. He was further advanced to the rank of Major-
General on the 28th of April, 1790; and obtained the
Colonelcy of the Firta Foor in 1794. During the war of the
French Revolution, when Holland had become subject to
France, the British Government resolved to take the Dutch
settlement at the Cape of Good Hope; and this place was
captured, in the autumn of 1795, by a body of troops under
Major-General Sir Alured Clarke, and « naval force com-
manded by Vice-Admiral Sir George Keith Elphinstone.
The services of Major-General Clarke were afterwards trans-
ferred to the East Indies, in which country he held the local
rank of Lieutenant-General from the 3rd of May, 1796; and
he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General in the
12

116 THE FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

army on the 26th of January, 1797. In 1801 he was removed
to the Colonelcy of the Seventh Fusiliers ; and in the follow-
ing year promoted to the rank of General. He was sub-
sequently advanced to the rank of Field-Marshal: and died
on the 16th of September, 1832.

RICHARD ENGLAND,
Appointed 21st August, 1801.

Ricuarp Enctanp entered the service in 1766, as an Ensign
in the Forty-seventh Foot, in which regiment he attained the
rank of Major on the 3rd of August, 1781, and was pro-
moted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Twenty-fourth Foot
on the 20th of February, 1783. In 1796 he was advanced to
the rank of Major-General; in April, 1800, he was appointed
Colonel Commandant of the second battalion of the Firtx
Foot, and in the following year he succeeded Sir Alured
Clarke in the Colonelcy of the regiment. In August, 1803,
he was appointed Governor of Plymouth; he obtained the
rank of Lieutenant-General in September of the same year,
and died on the 7th of November, 1812.

WILLIAM WYNYARD,
Appointed 2th November, 1812.

Witt1am Wynyarp was appointed to a Lieutenancy in the
Sixty-fourth Foot on the 12th of June, 1777: he was after-
wards Captain in the Forty-first regiment; and in April
1795, he was appointed Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel in
the Second Foot Guards. In 1802 he attained the rank of
Colonel in the army, and was appointed Colonel of the Roya)
West India Rangers on the 25th of October, 1806. His
commissions of General Officer were dated—Major-General,
25th October, 1809, and Lieutenant-General, 4th of June,
1814. He was appointed Deputy Adjutant-General to the
Forces, on the 9th of January, 1799, which situation he held
(much respected by his official brethren at the Horse-Guards)
until June, 1814,'‘when, having been promoted to the rank of

the

OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. 117

Lieutenant-General, he was appointed to the command of the
Yorkshire District. He retained the Colonelcy of the Firtu
Foot, to which he was appointed in 1812, until his decease,
on the 10th of July, 1819.

SIR HENRY JOHNSON, BART., G.C.B.,
Appointed 12th July, 1819.

Arter serving in the subordinate commissions, this officer
was promoted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Seventeenth
Foot on the 4th of October, 1778, and, serving with his regi-
ment in America and the West Indies, he obtained the rank
of Colonel in the army on the 25th of December, 1782. In
1793 he was promoted to the rank of Major-General ; and he
obtained the Colonelcy of the Eighty-first Foot on the 18th of
June, 1798. He commanded a body of troops in Ireland
during the rebellion of 1798, and obtained great credit for his
conduct in an action at New Ross. In the succeeding year he
was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General; and to that
of General on the 25th of April, 1808. After the decease of
Lieutenant-General Wynyard, the Colonelcy of the Firru
Foot was conferred on General Sir Henry Johnson: he was
many years Governor of Ross Castle ; and died in 1835.

THE HONOURABLE SIR CHARLES COLVILLE,
G.C.B. and G.C.H.
Appointed 25th March, 1835.

LONDON:

Printed by Wintram Crowes and Sons,
14, Charing-Cross.